Dear Solarthermalworld.org Reader,
In
September 2016, Roger Hackstock returned as Managing Director of
Austria Solar after having already occupied this position between 2002
and 2013. In the three years that he was not at the helm of the Austrian
industry association, there has been a steady rise in demand for
integrated heating system solutions, and the first start-ups which offer
heating systems online have been growing at a rapid pace. Hackstock
emphasised in an interview with solarthermalworld.org that
installers need to show some courage if they intend to no longer rely on
a traditional two- to three-tier distribution channel. “A survey in
Austria among customers, planners, architects and installers has shown
that the industry is making it rather difficult for consumers to obtain a
solar thermal system. This needs to change completely,” the
association’s managing director said. (Cartoon: Michael Hüter)
Best of luck for your business ventures in 2017
The Editorial Team