SoLocal Energy

What SoLocal Energy does

SoLocal Energy e.V. is a registered nonprofit association (eingetragener Verein, VR5546) founded in Kassel, Germany in early 2020 and operating exclusively in the Kassel and North Hesse region. It runs three interconnected program pillars: (1) Balkonkraftwerke — plug-and-play balcony solar systems up to 600W sold through collective purchasing, a PrestaShop online store, and direct installation services; (2) Gemeinschaftlicher Solarbau — a community self-build methodology (adapted from the Swiss selbstbau.ch model) under which trained SoLocal staff guide lay participants through installation of larger rooftop PV systems typically in the 10-30+ kWp range; and (3) Klimabildung — climate education programming including the SolarCamp youth PV training, the Energiewende-Held*innen school project run with ANU Hessen, and formerly neighborhood climate circles that were handed to the city of Kassel in 2024.

The organization's customer base spans individual citizens and renters in North Hesse (primary), housing cooperatives (notably 1889 Vereinigte Wohnstätten eG), educational institutions (multiple kindergartens, after-school programs, Kinder- und Jugend-Zirkus Rambazotti), and community/nonprofit organizations (Sandershaus e.V.). By the end of 2023 cumulative output reached approximately 200 installed systems totaling ~158 kWp, and roughly 2,500 people had been engaged through 80+ events.

Revenue is generated through a mix of hardware sales and installation services, workshop and training fees, solidarity-based membership dues, donations, and project grants from foundations and state programs (Deutsche Postcode Lottery, cdw Stiftung, Hessisches Ministerium für Wirtschaft). Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed for installations; the mobile battery rental is priced at EUR 80 for the first day plus EUR 20 per additional day. The organization is governed as a sociocratic collective of approximately 5-8 core members and remains entirely member-supported with no external equity investors.

Name

SoLocal Energy

Legal name

SoLocal Energy e.V.

Website

https://solocal-energy.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SoLocal Energy e.V. is a Kassel-based nonprofit association that delivers plug-and-play balcony solar systems, guides community self-build rooftop PV installations, and runs climate education programs for citizens, housing cooperatives, schools, and community organizations across North Hesse.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Solar Installation Services

NAICS

Solar Electric Power Generation (221114)

SIC

Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991)

akta.pro primary industry

Solar EPC & Construction (Utility-Scale, Rooftop, Balance of System) (EUAMABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Solar Development & Subscription Management (EUAMAJAA), Renewable Distributed Generation (Rooftop/Onsite Solar, Small Wind, Small Hydro) (EUACALAJ), Distributed Storage (Behind-the-Meter Batteries) (EUAMAJAE)

Keywords

• Balcony solar systems
• Rooftop photovoltaic installation
• Community solar construction
• Climate education workshops
• Solar self-build programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Kassel

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Solar Installation Services: Revenue from planning, procurement, and professional installation of balcony solar systems and larger rooftop PV installations. Includes consultation, individual solution design, logistics organization, installation support, and registration assistance with grid operators and market master data register.
2. Solar Component Sales: Sales of photovoltaic modules and components through their own PrestaShop e-commerce platform. Customers can purchase Balkonkraftwerk kits for self-installation and pickup at designated locations.
3. Educational Workshops and Training: Revenue from workshops on climate communication, renewable energy basics, energy efficiency, solar deployment in urban settings, and participatory processes. Also includes process facilitation services for social-ecological transformation actors and career orientation programs.
4. Membership Dues and Donations: As a registered nonprofit association (e.V.), SoLocal Energy receives support through active and sponsoring membership fees, as well as donations. Membership fees are structured with flexible, solidarity-based contributions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SoLocal Energy e.V. is a non-profit association that delivers plug-and-play balcony solar systems (Balkonkraftwerke up to 600W), community-led rooftop solar self-construction projects (typically 10–30+ kWp), and a portfolio of climate education programs (workshops, SolarCamp youth training, school programs, and neighborhood climate circles). Offerings combine hardware procurement, professional installation and grid registration support with educational and community-organizing services for citizens in Kassel and North Hesse.

Product overview

SoLocal Energy e.V. is a non-profit association offering three interconnected service pillars focused on grassroots energy transition in Kassel and North Hesse: (1) Balkonkraftwerke - plug-and-play solar systems (up to 600W) for balconies, facades, and gardens with collective purchasing and installation support; (2) Gemeinschaftlicher Solarbau - community-led rooftop solar construction where groups build larger PV systems (10-30+ kWp) together with professional guidance; and (3) Klimabildung - climate education programs including workshops, SolarCamp youth training, school programs (Energiewende-Held*innen), and neighborhood climate circles. Additional offerings include a mobile battery system rental for community events and public workshops on climate communication and renewable energy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Balkonkraftwerke (Balcony Solar Power Plants) Plug-and-play solar power systems (up to 600W) for installation on balconies, facades, gardens, garages and sheds. Sold through collective purchasing rounds with SoLocal Energy providing consulting, planning, logistics, installation, and grid registration support, potentially saving up to 20% of annual household electricity consumption.
• Gemeinschaftlicher Solarbau (Community Solar Construction) Self-build community solar program where SoLocal Energy guides groups through installing larger rooftop PV systems (typically 10–30+ kWp) using a do-it-together approach with professional supervision, planning, procurement, on-site instruction, and safety protocols.
• Klimabildung (Climate Education) Comprehensive climate education offering covering climate communication, renewable energy, and sustainable living, delivered in both online and in-person formats for various audiences including citizens, schools, and partner organizations.
• SolarCamp Kassel Two-week summer camp for young people (typically ages 14–25) providing hands-on training in photovoltaic installation. Participants learn electrical safety, tool handling, and mounting techniques, earning a certificate as PV assistant.
• Energiewende-Held*innen (Energy Transition Heroes)

Quantifiable outcome

• 104 balcony solar systems (62 kWp) installed in 2023 alone through cooperative purchasing
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SoliSolar HamburgcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Sister organization and strategic partner in the solar self-build movement. Collaborative relationship including shared learning, methodology exchange, and joint activities such as winter retreats.
• Bremer SolidarStromcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Sister project and strategic partner for solar self-construction methodology exchange. Collaborated on creating the German self-build handbook and conducting joint workshops on community solar deployment. Regular exchange including joint winter retreats.
• Deutsche Gesellschaft für Sonnenenergie (DGS) KasselcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership with DGS Sektion Kassel for educational content and kindergarten solar projects. DGS provides educational materials and didactics while SoLocal handles installation.
• Bündnis Bürgerenergie (BBEn)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the German Citizen Energy Alliance network, contributing to national advocacy for citizen-owned renewable energy.
• selbstbau.solarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational platform for solar self-build initiatives in Germany. SoLocal Energy contributed to the creation of the self-build handbook and participates in the nationwide network of solar self-construction groups.
• BNE-Netzwerk NordhessenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the North Hesse Education for Sustainable Development network, providing workshops and educational programs as part of regional sustainability efforts.
• Entrepreneurs4Future KasselminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-founder of regional Entrepreneurs4Future group advocating for climate-positive business practices and stronger climate policy in Kassel.
• 1889 Vereinigte Wohnstätten eGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing cooperative partnership for bulk balcony solar system deployment to tenants. Significant channel for reaching apartment residents who couldn't previously access solar.
• Kasseler KollektiveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal collective network in Kassel for sharing resources, knowledge, and cross-promotion among progressive civic organizations.
• VELOADminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for cargo bike procurement. SoLocal acquired their SolarLa cargo bike through crowdfunding for PV module and tool transportation.
• Arbeitsgemeinschaft Natur- und Umweltbildung (ANU) Hessen e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Energiewende-Held*innen career orientation project for students, building solar sound stations at schools. ANU coordinates and funds the project.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Lichtblick SE: German decentralized energy provider offering citizen-owned renewable energy products and services. Operates in the broader citizen energy space but at much larger scale than SoLocal.
• Enpal: Germany's leading solar leasing company offering turnkey rooftop PV with no upfront cost. Competes for the same homeowner/renter audience but via commercial financing rather than community ownership.
• 1Komma5°: Fast-growing German one-stop-shop for rooftop solar, heat pumps, and EV charging. Competes for residential solar customers via professionally delivered installations rather than community self-build.

Emerging players

• Zolar: German online solar marketplace connecting homeowners with regional installers. Targets similar balcony and rooftop solar customers but through a digital platform rather than community organizing.
• selbstbau.solar: National network and online platform for solar self-build initiatives in Germany. SoLocal co-authored the self-build handbook and participates in the nationwide network of self-construction groups.

Direct peers

• Bürgerwerke eG: Germany's largest citizen energy cooperative network offering rooftop PV and citizen-owned energy products. SoLocal is a BBEn member; both focus on democratizing energy ownership through cooperative structures.
• Bremer SolidarStrom: Bremen-based solar self-build cooperative and SoLocal's strategic sister organization. Both run community-led rooftop PV self-builds using shared methodology, and co-developed the German self-build handbook.
• SoliSolar Hamburg: Hamburg-based solar self-build collective and SoLocal's sister organization in the national solar self-build movement. Same hands-on community methodology, joint winter retreats, and shared advocacy for citizen-owned solar.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses6 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SoLocalEnergy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/solocal-energy
• Instagraminstagram.com/solocal.energy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 SoLocal Energy