Renewables Academy

What Renewables Academy does

Renewables Academy (RENAC) AG is a Berlin-based private training and capacity-building company founded in 2008 that delivers professional development programmes in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and green finance. It serves individual professionals (engineers, installers, project developers, consultants, bankers, policy makers) and institutional clients (utilities, development agencies, governments, universities, NGOs) through three delivery modalities — self-paced online courses, blended learning combining online content with live virtual classrooms via Zoom, and in-person training (anchored by its long-running Green Energy Summer School in Berlin). The company runs a catalogue of 30+ ready-made online/blended courses and 130+ customised corporate programmes spanning bioenergy, hydrogen/PtX, hydropower, photovoltaics, solar thermal, storage, wind, e-mobility, energy efficiency, power system planning, and green finance.

The underlying technology is a proprietary e-learning platform provided by 3iPunt that supports online courses, live virtual classrooms, discussion forums, self-assessment tests, exams, and certificate issuance, with payments processed by Novalnet, PayPal, and WooCommerce Payments. RENAC monetises through per-course tuition fees for ready-made programmes (online, blended, in-person), bespoke enterprise contracts for customised curricula and capacity-building services (capacity needs assessments, turnkey training centre design, train-the-trainer programmes, consulting, study/delegation tours), and international development project delivery funded primarily through GIZ and other bilateral/multilateral partners. Notable certifications include ZFU approval for online programmes and FIBAA certification for the Green Energy Finance Specialist (GEFS) programme. The company operates with 11–50 employees and has executed 940+ projects across Africa, Latin America, MENA, APEC countries, and Europe over its 15+ year history, with customers including Iberdrola, Masdar, KFAS, GIZ, Guidehouse, Juwi, and Fraunhofer ISI.

Name

Renewables Academy

Legal name

Renewables Academy (RENAC) AG

Website

https://renac.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Renewables Academy (RENAC) is a Berlin-based private training company founded in 2008 that delivers online, blended, and in-person professional development programmes in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and green finance to individual professionals, utilities, governments, and development agencies worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Renewable Energy Training and Capacity Building

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

akta.pro primary industry

Renewable Energy Electrical (Solar PV, Wind, Storage) (EDAOABAI)

Keywords

• Renewable energy training
• Energy efficiency courses
• Green finance education
• Professional certification programs
• Capacity building services

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Online and Blended Course Fees: Individual professionals pay tuition fees to enrol in RENAC's catalogue of ready-made online and blended courses. Fees are listed on the website per programme; prices for online training are all-inclusive with no additional charges for exams or certificates. Intakes begin on specific dates (1 April, 1 October) with on-demand courses available for immediate start.
2. In-Person Training Fees: Fees for in-person training events (including the Green Energy Summer School) are charged per programme. Pricing is all-inclusive, covering teaching, seminar materials, lunch, coffee breaks, welcome events, and field trips. Payment must be received at least 28 days before the start date.
3. Customised Corporate Training and B2B Services: RENAC sells tailored training programmes, capacity needs assessments, curriculum development, turnkey training centre design, train-the-trainer, consulting, business matchmaking, and communication services to organisations. Pricing for customised courses is by request (on request).
4. Payment Processing: All RENAC Training payments can be made via credit card, PayPal, or bank transfer. Novalnet AG processes online payments. The company uses industry-standard encryption and firewalls to safeguard credit card details.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Renewables Academy (RENAC) is a Berlin-based training and capacity-building company that designs and delivers professional development programmes in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and green finance. It sells a catalogue of 30+ ready-made online, blended, and in-person courses, 130+ customised courses across twelve technology areas (bioenergy, hydrogen & PtX, hydropower, photovoltaics, solar thermal, storage, wind energy, economics & finance, e-mobility, energy efficiency, political & legal, and power system planning), and B2B capacity-building services such as capacity needs assessment, turnkey training centre design, train-the-trainer, and consulting for organisations, governments, and development agencies.

Product overview

Renewables Academy (RENAC) is a training and education company offering a portfolio of professional development programs in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and green finance. The core offering consists of three learning formats: Online Courses (self-paced programs delivered through the RENAC e-learning platform), Blended Learning Programs (combining online learning with live virtual training via Zoom and optional in-person components), and In-Person Training (face-to-face seminars and workshops, including the flagship Green Energy Summer School). Course programs include GESS I and GESS II for introductory and PV-focused training, while certification programs include Certified Renewable Energy Project Developer (Photovoltaics and Wind Power), Green Energy Finance Specialist (GEFS, FIBAA-certified), Certified PV Professional, and Green Hydrogen and Renewable Power-to-X Professional. RENAC also offers customized training programs for organizations and comprehensive B2B capacity building services including needs assessment, curriculum development, turnkey training centers, train-the-trainer programs, and consulting services. The company has delivered over 940 projects worldwide and offers more than 30 online courses plus 130+ customized courses across renewable energy technologies including bioenergy, hydrogen & PtX, hydropower, photovoltaics, solar thermal, storage, wind energy, e-mobility, and energy efficiency.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Online Courses Self-paced online courses delivered through the RENAC e-learning platform. Participants access reading materials, downloads, self-assessment tests, exams, assignments, and links. Online training concludes with an online final examination; graded certificates or certificates of attendance are issued based on performance.
• Blended Learning Programs Combines self-paced online learning on the RENAC e-learning platform with live virtual training sessions delivered via Zoom and optional in-person training components. Includes interactive virtual classrooms, practical workshops, and final examination.
• In-Person Training (Green Energy Summer School and other seminars) Face-to-face training programmes held in Berlin and on client sites, including seminars, field trips, practical workshops, and site visits. Flagship offering is the Green Energy Summer School (GESS I & GESS II).
• Certified Renewable Energy Project Developer: Photovoltaics A 6-month online certification programme with about 130 hours of study time. Includes 5 live sessions and optional intro courses. Designed for professionals seeking to develop practical skills in solar PV project development.
• Green Energy Finance Specialist (GEFS) Comprehensive blended learning programme with about 305 hours of study time. FIBAA-certified. Includes field trip and an optional 3-day in-person seminar. Covers investing and lending theory and practice for green energy projects.
• Certified PV Professional Online certification programme with about 150 hours of study time, including 3 live sessions and optional intro courses. Covers PV design and engineering.
• Green Hydrogen and Renewable Power-to-X Professional Online certification programme with about 120 hours of study time, including 6 live sessions and optional intro courses. Covers hydrogen and Power-to-X technologies for decarbonising sectors.
• Certified Renewable Energy Project Developer: Wind Power Online certification programme covering wind power project development. Includes 4 live sessions and optional intro courses.
• Applying Energy Efficiency Online course with about 100 hours of study time, including 3 live sessions and optional intro courses. Covers project development, cost optimisation, auditing, and policy design for energy efficiency.
• Accessing and Mobilising Climate Finance A 2-month online course with about 10 hours of study time, available on-demand. Covers climate finance solutions, project bankability assessment, and green finance implementation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 940+ projects delivered worldwide across Africa, Latin America, MENA, APEC, and Europe
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGIZ is a key strategic partner in RENAC's international development projects, including bilateral energy cooperation initiatives, the German Energy Solutions Initiative, and country-specific programmes across Africa, Latin America, and MENA. RENAC delivers training and capacity building within these GIZ-funded projects.
• Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Recht BerlinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBerlin University of Applied Sciences for Economics and Law collaborates with RENAC on academic capacity development and joint educational initiatives in renewable energy.
• IberdrolaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal energy utility Iberdrola engages with RENAC's training programmes, leveraging RENAC's expertise in renewable energy technologies and professional development for its workforce.
• Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAbu Dhabi's clean energy company partners with RENAC on training and capacity building for renewable energy deployment in international markets.
• TU Berlin (Technische Universität Berlin)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRENAC collaborates with TU Berlin on academic capacity development and research-linked educational programmes in renewable energy and energy efficiency.
• GOPAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGOPA, an international development consulting firm, partners with RENAC on joint project delivery in green energy capacity building across developing regions.
• GuidehouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuidehouse, a global consulting firm, collaborates with RENAC on advisory and capacity building engagements in the energy sector.
• Fraunhofer ISIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research partners with RENAC on research-informed capacity building and consulting in renewable energy innovation and policy.
• JuwiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJuwi, a project developer specialised in renewable energy, engages with RENAC's training offerings for professional development of its teams.
• 3iPuntcoreTechnology or Integration3iPunt provides the underlying e-learning platform technology (E-Learning Platform) that powers RENAC's online and blended training delivery. The platform supports course delivery, live virtual classrooms, forums, exams, and certificate issuance.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Solar Energy International (SEI): US-based nonprofit founded in 1991 that delivers online and in-person training and certification in PV, solar thermal, wind, battery storage, and EV charging. Closely comparable in curriculum breadth, online/in-person/blended delivery model, and credentialed certification.
• HeatSpring: Online training platform offering self-paced and cohort-based courses plus certification prep in solar PV, heat pumps, building performance, and energy efficiency. Comparable as a renewable-energy-focused online course marketplace with NABCEP-aligned offerings.
• Clean Energy Council: Australian peak industry body that accredits solar installers and runs renewable-energy training pathways. Comparable in providing accredited, curriculum-driven RE training and certification to professionals, with a similar regulator-aligned positioning to RENAC's ZFU approval.
• Everblue: Online training and certification provider covering sustainability, energy efficiency, LEED, and renewable energy. Comparable in its online course catalogue, professional certification focus, and B2B/individual learner mix targeting built-environment and energy professionals.
• European Energy Centre: Malta-headquartered training and certification provider delivering renewable-energy and energy-efficiency courses across Europe. Closely comparable as a specialist RE training operator in the European market with online and in-person modalities.
• Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI): Intergovernmental organisation delivering capacity building and policy advisory for green growth in developing countries. Comparable as a publicly funded capacity-building actor with multi-country programme delivery similar to RENAC's GIZ-funded projects.
• The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI): India-based research and capacity-building institution offering training and certification across renewable energy, climate change, and sustainable development. Comparable in offering accredited multi-format RE training, government and development-funded projects, and alumni networks.
• EIT InnoEnergy: European innovation engine backed by the EU's EIT that runs renewable-energy education programmes (incl. Master School) and supports workforce upskilling. Comparable in providing accredited specialist RE training and certification across Europe with institutional funding.

Broad incumbents

• NABCEP: North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners — the dominant PV and energy-storage professional certification body in the US. Comparable as a credentialing authority that defines standards and quality in the RE training market that RENAC also participates in.

Others

• Fraunhofer ISE: Germany's largest applied-research institute for solar energy and hydrogen. Comparable as a partner-ecosystem participant that complements RENAC's training catalogue with research-grade content, and is already a customer/partner (via related Fraunhofer ISI).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/renac_ag
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@renac_ag
• Facebookfacebook.com/RENAC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/renewables-academy-ag-renac-
• Instagraminstagram.com/renac_ag

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Renewables Academy