Gehrlicher installs photovoltaic (PV) power plant installations for private, commercial and utility applications. It currently employs 52 staff and has a portfolio of projects and customers both on the East and West Coast of the US as well as a developing base of projects in Mexico, the Caribbean and Puerto Rico. Gehrlicher Solar America Corporation had sales of approximately US$73 million in 2012 and will probably exceed US$150 million in 2013. It will now operate as a stand-alone subsidiary of M+W Americas.

The acquisition provides M+W with a proven capability in the engineering, procurement, construction, operations and management of solar power plant facilities in the 1 to 15 MW range. Gehrlicher’s core competencies include ‘big box’ rooftop installations, net metered distributed generation, to medium scale ground installations up to utility grade power plants exceeding 10MW. 

COO Jerry Shinn will assume the duties of President of Gehrlicher Solar America Corporation. Shinn will take responsibility for Gehrlicher to leverage M+W’s financial strength and technical competencies in all major PV technologies, and focus on becoming the largest independent PV EPC provider in North America.

“This acquisition represents a further step toward extending M+W Group’s global competence in this market, so that we can provide our customers with comprehensive PV power plant solutions in Europe, Asia, and now additonally in America,” said M+W Group CEO Jürgen Wild.

“The renewable market is seeking companies that will take responsibility for project execution from inception through design, permitting, procurement, installation and eventually, operation. The combined capabilities of M+W and GSAC will provide that ‘one-stop-shop’ for our clients.” added Rick Whitney, M+W Americas’ president & CEO.