Monier Group expands solar portfolio with InDaX technology acquisition

Monier Group has acquired Schott Solar's InDax technology allowing the company to tap into new PV distribution channels.

Monier Group — a supplier of building materials for pitched roofs with operations in 40 countries — has expanded its solar portfolio by acquiring Schott Solar’s InDaX technology for the manufacture of roof-integrated photovoltaics.

The acquisition, which was completed on August 16 when the Monier Group signed the contract, will provide the group with the rights to use the InDax brand name as well as the rights to use the patents related to the product. However, this excludes the framing technology. The financial terms of the transaction remain undisclosed.

Working in co-operation with Schott Solar, the group helped to launch the InDax system, which is used in the so-called portrait roof, in Germany, Italy and south-east Europe. They also worked closely to further develop the InDaX system. Additional launches are planned this year in France and the UK.

The Monier Group is not planning to take over the PV laminate production. Like it does with its other photovoltaic systems, it will focus on building its partnerships with established manufacturers purchasing their systems. "By building on our proven model where we focus on leveraging our roofing expertise and partnering with quality PV laminate manufacturers we will be able to offer a premium product. Experience from the markets shows that InDaX is the leading product in this segment. We are now able to also offer former Schott Solar customers who would have been forced to look elsewhere an attractive roof-integrated photovoltaic system", says Dr Gerrit Sames, CTPO of Monier Group.

The acquisition is said to consolidate Monier Group’s position as a “technology leader for the interface of PV products to the pitched roof” market. Commenting on the company’s plans following the acquisition, Pepyn Dinandt, CEO of the Monier Group, said, “"The acquisition is a strategic addition to our existing solar and roofing activities. We are planning to develop the InDaX system into a major part of our solar portfolio in future. We are confident that through the integration of this state-of-the-art technology we are well prepared for further growth in the promising in-roof segment along the lines of our strategic priorities."

In addition to expanding its solar portfolio, the acquisition is expected to help the company to tap into new distribution channels. The director of the business line solar roof systems at Monier Group, Jens Milnikel, explained, “The InDaX allows Monier to tap into promising new distribution channels in the PV market. We are building on a technology that will allow us to more strongly benefit from a trend that sees solar systems becoming independent of feed-in-tariffs and being increasingly used for decentralized own consumption.”

In June, Schott Solar announced that it would cease manufacturing of crystalline photovoltaics. The company has been providing certified roof-integrated photovoltaic solutions based on established crystalline technology since 2003. The equipment for framing and finishing was taken over by Monier Group. However, production will be relocated to a company site north of Milan, Italy.