Opinion

Talking point

Zenex Solar’s managing director Liz macFarlane
Zenex Solar’s managing director Liz macFarlane
Liz MacFarlane, Zenex Solar, looks ahead to next month’s Solar Energy UK exhibition at the NEC

We were sorry to hear about one of our competitors, Solar Century, moving out of UK distribution. Zenex Solar has always worked closely with them and I would say we shared the same ethos of quality product at the right price, but most importantly of great customer service.

As the two main UK suppliers of PV-giant JA Solar, we were referred to as ‘The JA Solar family’ and together with Wolseley Plumb Centre I think we’ve been instrumental in helping JA build its brand in the UK. Solar Century have installed the product on some of the largest projects in the UK and like us, supplied the network of UK installers who want a reliable bankable product. Zenex is continuing to fly the JA Solar flag and we are particularly excited to be launching their new SolarEdge embedded module at Solar Energy UK next month.

There’s no doubt about it, as some of the Chinese manufacturers try a direct-sell method to our installers, we’ve all had to change our game plan and really ensure the value-added offering through credit terms and reliable, flexible supply is where it needs to be. Zenex must be doing something right as one of the aforementioned manufacturers has tried to poach my staff (You know who you are!). I’ve always said we have the best team in the industry and I hope you are going to come along and meet some of them at the expo in Birmingham.

We’re also offering all kinds of domestic and commercial finance packages, plus an innovative store, pick-pack-and-deliver service to help free-up our customers’ cash-flow.

The Solar Century move out of distribution is just one step in what continues to be a consolidating market. I think things can only get easier and I believe there will be further changes through acquisition and merger, at all levels of our supply chain.  See you all in Birmingham!