There is strong potential for solar cell columns which provide sustainable lighting and contribute to the green agenda. That’s why the Priess business group is setting up an independent company to develop the market for solar cell columns. The solution was most recently exhibited with 98 columns at the World Expo 2020 in Dubai, and Priess is now separating this business area in order to gain a leading position on the global market.
Priess Solar A/S is a new company in intelligent, solar cell-based lighting for public spaces. The company is a spin-off of Danish company Priess A/S, which is a leader in green, carbon-saving solutions for the digital transition, district heating, the electricity grid, etc.
Matching the green agenda
The aim is to create a company with a 100% focus on developing Priess’ business with solar cell columns, which were first introduced in 2009.
“The solution fits perfectly with the green agenda, where many companies as well as the public sector have very ambitious goals of becoming carbon neutral within the next few years,” explains Christian Cordsen, director and owner of the Priess business group.
“We therefore see great potential in this field, and to speed up development, we are establishing a spin-off where this area is separated into an independent company. We are investing the funds necessary to establish a strong business,” says Christian Cordsen.
Priess Solar A/S was launched on 1 January 2022 and is located at the same address as the parent company in Vinderup in North-western Jutland, Denmark.
Ole Søndergaard has been appointed General Manager of Priess Solar. He is 53 and has led the solar cell and lighting section at Priess A/S for the past ten years.
Chairman of the Board of Directors is Jes Jensen, who has many years of experience within international business and sales. Frederik Cordsen also sits on the board as a representative of the owning family.
The COP15 conference marked the beginning
“The whole idea of sustainable lighting using solar cell columns emerged in connection with COP15 in 2009 in Copenhagen, where we developed and set up 19 columns,” says Ole Søndergaard.
Since then, Priess A/S has installed more than four thousand columns in over 20 countries in Europe and not least in the Middle East, where most recently 98 solar street light columns were erected in connection with the World Expo 2020 in Dubai.
Smart City – intelligent data usage
The solar cell columns from Priess Solar advance the green shift and the Smart City mindset, where intelligent data usage and IT solutions add value to cities and infrastructure for the benefit of citizens as well as the efficiency of the city.
The solar cell columns are used in public spaces for illuminating roads, squares, bus stops, etc. Using solar cells and batteries, the columns are self-powered. Advanced controls optimise power and control possible connection to the grid for supplementary power, which there may be a need for during winter months in the northern hemisphere.
Exports need to move up a gear after the pandemic
Priess Solar expects the strongest sales in the Middle East, where otherwise promising sales have been stagnant due to COVID-19. The new company is also increasing its ambitions in Europe, where the green agenda is calling for sustainable solutions for outdoor lighting. Most recently, a deal is being finalised with a Portuguese dealer.
The solar cell columns have been developed in collaboration with leading designers to ensure that they suit public spaces. The plan is for the columns to be produced locally in the future, in one or more locations in the Middle East, to achieve as low a carbon footprint as possible, while the technology will be supplied by Denmark.
“With the establishment of Priess Solar A/S, we are sharply stepping up our ambitions with further investments in product development, production optimisation, dealer support and development of the international network of traders,” says Ole Søndergaard.
About Priess Solar A/S
Priess Solar A/S is an innovative company in the field of intelligent, solar cell-based lighting for public spaces.
The solutions include solar cell columns for illuminating roads, squares, bus stops etc. Using solar cells and batteries, the columns are self-powering. Advanced controls optimise power and control possible connection to the grid for supplementary power.
Priess Solar A/S is part of the Priess business group and is a spin-off of Priess A/S, which is a leader in green, carbon-saving solutions for the digital transition, district heating, the electricity grid, etc.
Priess Solar A/S and Priess A/S employ 150+ workers in Vinderup, Denmark, divided into production, sales, management, planning and development/technical division.
More information
Jes Jensen, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Priess Solar A/S
Telephone: +45 2646 1500
Email: jes.jensen@outlook.dk
Ole Søndergaard, General Manager, Priess Solar A/S
Telephone: +45 2938 7033
Email: os@priess-solar.com