Opinion

Q&A – David Bassie, Mastervolt

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Q: What have you got planned for the rest of 2013?
We will complete the field test of our brand new residential storage system and have it certified so that we can put it on sale. The system is based on our tried-and-tested marine combi range, of which more than 10,000 units are already in operation. It contains our own Li-ion battery with an integrated battery management system and is able to be retrofitted to existing solar plants without the need for the inverter to be replaced. We are also completing our SunMaster ES series with a 2.2 kW and 3 kW models.

Q: What do you see as the growth area for renewables?
We are seeing a greater need for small inverters because people want to generate their own power for their own personal use in order to be independent of the government, large energy companies and unstable subsidies. This is why we are also witnessing growth in residential storage. People want to be in control of their own energy. In the past, energy was not something that consumers made active and conscious decisions about, but it is now increasingly becoming a consumer-focused product.

Q: How is your company cutting its carbon footprint?
All of Mastervolt’s new products are manufactured in Holland, minimising CO2 emissions from transportation. The company’s production facilities are ISO 14001 certified and its environmental management system ensures that a continuous improvement process is in place to reduce its effects on the environment, including its CO2 emissions.

David Bassie is product manager solar at Mastervolt