Session Solar

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1985
Walter Leithold founds Solare System Technik. Within the first year, one of the world’s first, technically-demanding, stand-alone systems with alternating current technology systems is developed and implemented under the management of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE.
1987
Walter Leithold’s company Solar System Technik develops building-integrated photovoltaic systems for the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE. In Kuwait, a greenhouse with integrated photovoltaics is constructed.
1991
Solare System Technik becomes the first company to develop photovoltaic building façades in Structural Glazing Technology.
1993
The Solar Centre in Freiburg is built with a photovoltaic façade using precisely this technology.
1995
The company demonstrates five challenging and differing PV mounting techniques on one of the largest buildings in South-West Germany, the “Centre for Art and Media Technology” in Karlsruhe. This was also the first time that photovoltaic-produced electricity (100 kWp) was fed into the DC grid of the tram system with 1200 volts.
1996
Elmar Niewerth, now CEO of SolarMarkt US, began to work for SolarMarkt (Solare System Technik GmbH) as a contractor with his company Innovative Haustechnik GmbH, installing primarily thermal solar plants and other renewable energy systems.
1997
SolarMarkt GmbH is established in Baden-Württemberg as the first wholesaler of exclusively solar products.
2000
A wooden noise barrier wall with integrated solar power modules is developed.
2001
SolarMarkt GmbH installs the photovoltaic noise barrier wall at the autobahn A1 in Switzerland between Bern and Zurich.
2003
SolarMarkt moves to new offices to accommodate the growing need for storage space – particularly for the AluTec mounting system, introduced in 2000. It soon becomes the leading mounting system in Germany.
2004
Elmar Niewerth founds the energy consulting company ECE, Inc. in California.
2005
SolarMarkt is one of the largest and most respected photovoltaic traders in Germany.
2006
By becoming a Public Limited Company, SolarMarkt prepares the ground for further growth. The founding of international sister companies is also part of a strategy to grow the European and American markets.
2007
Elmar Niewerth (ECE, Inc.), Walter Leithold (SolarMarkt AG) and additional investors found SolarMarkt US dba ThinkSolar in San Francisco Bay Area.
2008
ThinkSolar is well established nationally and recognized internationally as a wholesale distributor. Our first commercial U.S. integration project is a 650kW PV array for Lithographix, one of the nation’s premier printers. ThinkSolar becomes the U.S. manufacturer of AluTec.
2009
ThinkSolar solidifies its role as a world-class distributor of high-end solar products, grows its client base and forges new vendor relations.
2010
ThinkSolar changes its name to Session Solar and moves to a larger facility near Santa Cruz, CA. In September 2010 the global SolarMarkt group is acquired by Würth Solar.
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Session Solar & SolarMarkt AG

The PV Experts In Europe And The United States

Our Company

Session Solar is the U.S. subsidiary of SolarMarkt AG, founded in 1985 in Freiburg, Germany. SolarMarkt founder, Walter Leithold, began this company with a love of solar and the belief that quality, transparency and forward-thinking breed lasting success. Over the last 27 years, SolarMarkt and its global subsidiaries have put these core values into practice, developing a reputation for experience, trust and reliability. 

In January 2007, Session Solar CEO Elmar Niewerth brought that same integrity and solar expertise to the United States, proving that honest dialogue, reasonable prices, efficient service and sophisticated technologies are what American solar installers want. 

In 2010 SolarMarkt and its global subsidiaries, including Session Solar, merged with Wurth Solar, a leading European solar integrator. The merge expanded the global expertise and services of SolarMarkt and Wurth Solar to include PV wholesales, project development, and manufacturing of Creotecc mounting systems.  

Solar Markt

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