Sakura Power Solutions eyes market share boost in SL

• Becomes exclusive Leapton distributor in Sri Lanka and Maldives, with regional ambitions

By Nishel Fernando

Sakura Power Solutions is expecting a significant boost in its market share in solar power generation in Sri Lanka, along with plans to enter the Maldives later this year, after becoming the exclusive distributor of the Japanese-origin Leapton brand in the two countries. 

This also marks Leapton’s entrance into the South Asian region.

Leapton, a 100 percent Japanese-origin solar brand based in Kobe, Japan, is primarily manufactured in China. It stands out as the only Japanese brand in the Tier 1 category, ensuring superior quality and performance, with a 20-30 percent market share in Japan.

Sakura Power Solutions has been increasingly playing a key role in driving the shift toward renewable energy solutions in Sri Lanka’s industrial and commercial sectors, with an installed capacity of over 10 MW. Most recently, it completed a 2 MW solar rooftop system for TeeJay Lanka, on 150,000 square feet.

The official ceremony appointing Sakura Power Solutions as the exclusive distributor for Sri Lanka and the Maldives took place in Colombo last Friday, with the presence of top officials from Leapton Solar and Sakura Power Solutions.

Responding to media queries, Sakura Power Solutions CEO Haren Perera revealed that the company would focus on industrial and commercial businesses in Sri Lanka as well as the resorts and hotels in the Maldives, with this cutting-edge solar technology.

With the absence of a mechanism to determine quality assurances of solar panels, coupled with the recent comments about an oversupply in solar power generation, he noted that the Maldivian market looks rather attractive for the company.

“If you look at the Maldivian market, it’s totally different because they don’t have a national grid. Their main source of power generation is from fossil fuels. So, if we are to commence solar power generation there, we have to synchronise the solar system generator with a device called the PVDG system (photovoltaic-diesel generator hybrid system),” he explained.

A PVDG system is a hybrid power generation system that combines solar photovoltaic (PV) panels with a diesel generator (DG) to provide a reliable and efficient electricity supply. Sakura Power Solutions is planning to bring down this technology from Germany when it commences operations in the Maldives.

Further, the company is also seeking to enter other South Asian markets once it secures the exclusive distribution rights from Leapton.

Meanwhile, Leapton is gearing up to introduce Leapton Home Systems, a full solar power solution, in the two markets by mid this year, which includes solar panels, inverters and battery storage systems.

Perera highlighted that Sakura Power Solutions offers a money-back guarantee if it fails to meet the minimum energy generation rates, which is currently the highest in the country.

“We bring down Class A solar panels and hence, we assure 130 KWH per each KW installed. Most of the other companies are only meeting 105 or 110 KWH maximum. None of them are even going above 115-120 KWH, whereas we are hitting 130 KWH and in some locations such as the Eastern and North Central provinces, we are even able to reach 140 KWH. This is the highest and first for Sri Lanka,” he elaborated.

Perera stressed that anyone who claims the Class A grade in solar panels must be able to extend the same money-back guarantee. The company also offers 20-year agreements for maintenance and support, in line with Leapton’s industry-leading after-sales care.

Since its establishment in 2012, Leapton Energy has expanded its reach, with products now available in over 70 countries and regions across the globe. Leapton has been consistently listed on the Bloomberg Tier 1 list for several years.