Grape Solar aims at South America with new partnership

Grape Solar Inc. and Patriot Solar Group, which makes solar trackers and mounts, said Wednesday they will partner to sell their products as a single package.

Albion, Michigan-based Patriot Solar will offer its customers Grape Solar’s 175- to 280-watt photovoltaic panels to pair with its mount and tracking systems. Patriot makes horizontal pole mounts and one- or two-axis trackers and racking systems for various applications.

Through the partnership, which will also involve Eugene-based Grape Solar's network of 5,000 solar installers in the United States and Candada, the companies plan to penetrate the South American solar market via distribution channels established by Patriot Solar's sister company, Patriot Antenna Systems. The first shipment will begin in May 2010 to Chile, Peru, Costa Rica, Brazil and Argentina.

“This is a great partnership for both parties,” said Ocean Yuan, president of Grape Solar, in a press release. “We now greatly broaden our reach into solar markets where trackers are used.”

Grape Solar announced a distribution partnership with Ontility in February.

Both parties expect to sell more than 10 megawatts of complete systems within the next 12 months through their networks of installers and potential customers.

Yuan said he expects to reach sales of $100 million in South America by the end of 2010.