By Isabella Kaminski

REC beat off competition from over 200 solar companies to win the contract from Ikea.

The first 430 kW solar PV installation on the rooftop of a store in Regensburg, Germany, was connected to the grid at the end of September. The second, a 150 kW installation in Freiburg, was connected in December. Both installations use REC Systems and REC solar modules.

John Andersen Jr, Executive Vice President and Group COO for REC, says: “REC is proud that Ikea selected our systems team to provide these installations, in addition to benefiting from our high performing modules with their excellent price performance ratio.”

Goldbeck Solar, a construction company focusing on industrial rooftop and ground mounted solar PV installations, partnered with REC as a sub-contractor on the German Ikea projects.

Michael Armin, Head of Expansion for Ikea Germany, says: "We will use the solar power produced for our lighting department and furniture exhibition, as well as for the customer restaurant."

REC has already provided modules for three Ikea projects in the USA: two stores on the East Coast and a Southern California distribution centre, which will be the second largest single-roof commercial system in the state. A Colorado site was also recently announced.