Satchwell – electromechanical equipment manufacturer ACTOM’s Paarl-based manufacturer and supplier of domestic and industrial products and components – has entered the solar power generation market by offering system components to contractors, as well as providing turnkey solutions on a select and small-scale basis.

The recent incorporation of Electrical Products’ heating and ventilation unit, with brands Xpelair, Redring and Tempadair into Satchwell now positions the business firmly in the heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) market, states Satchwell.

Satchwell’s recognised domestic and light industrial heating elements and controls, its range of refrigeration components and gas, and now its ventilation and heating appliances, place it as a major supplier to the market, with the added benefit of being a local manufacturer.

The boom in the inverter, battery and solar photovoltaic (PV) market has provided Satchwell with the opportunity to grow its presence in the domestic/light industrial market, it adds.

Further benefits include Satchwell’s national distribution network in the market and its embedded knowledge of PV science gained in the solar water heating space, the company says.

“We view our entry into this market as taking the logical next step by introducing solar back-up and PV installations, from our existing well-established base in the residential market of supplying solar-powered geyser systems to householders nationwide.

“Our primary objective is to supply quality system components to the market, including solar panel mounting structures, to installers and contractors.

“It is important for us to understand what the market requires, so we participate directly in the installation activity on a very small scale because this is where we learn what contractors are faced with in their daily lives, which enables us to develop and roll out products that make their lives easier and profitable,” says Satchwell national sales manager Chanelle Visser.