Irish Firm Agrees NZ$30 Million Deal

Under the terms of the five-year deal, New Zealand Solar Distribution will distribute Surface Power's range of solar hot water, heating and cooling systems. Surface Power, meanwhile, has announced it will establish a national distribution and training academy in Tauranga, New Zealand, resulting in the creation of 12 new jobs over the next year.

According to Surface Power founder John Quinn: "New Zealand Solar Distribution have approached the market in a professional way seeking out the best technologies, backed up with training options and support.  We look forward to building a relationship that will help drive growth and jobs for both companies in 2009 and beyond."

"This agreement enables us to completely focus on our expansion efforts. Surface Power Solar has already achieved product approval in over 25 countries and expects to add the USA, Canada and Australia over the coming months.  In fact, we expect to conclude further distribution agreements in New Zealand this year," he added.

Commenting on the planned distribution and training centre at Tauranga, located in the Bay of Plenty on New Zealand's North Island, Steve Allen, International sales Director with Surface Power stated: "The centre will help develop advanced training options for installers to include solar hot water, heating and cooling systems. The training academy will also provide training and deployment expertise to large utilities and industry across New Zealand."

Speaking about the multi-million dollar deal with Surface Power, Mr. Drew Beekie, CEO of New Zealand Solar Distribution, said: "We have been testing many solar systems over the last 2 years and we selected Surface Power as it achieved exceptional performance in cloud, wind and rain environments. We need systems that work all year round. We also need to work with companies whose research is at the forefront of developing new uses for solar thermal in cooling and water purification."

The multi-million dollar deal follows less than a month after Surface Power signed a €20 million deal to have their breakthrough solar hot water panel product distributed throughout the Republic of Ireland.

Established in County Mayo in 2003, Surface Power's research and development programs have been running for nearly seven years and the company has amassed a significant product portfolio in advance of targeting key world export markets for solar and wind renewables.

The Údarás na Gaeltachta and Enterprise Ireland-backed firm, which was a finalist in the prestigious Engineers Ireland 'Innovative Company of The Year Awards 2009', has played a central role in the development.