Sonnenexpert GmbH

What Sonnenexpert GmbH does

Sonnenexpert GmbH is a German photovoltaic (PV) installation specialist founded in 2012 and headquartered in Roggentin, Mecklenburg-West Pomerania. The company focuses on complex commercial and industrial PV installations, including commercial rooftop systems and ground-mounted solar parks, and serves a customer base of commercial property owners, solar investors, and municipalities. The group operates an affiliated residential PV subsidiary, fri Energy GmbH & Co. KG, which addresses the residential segment separately from the Sonnenexpert brand.

Cumulative installed capacity stands at approximately 364,273 kWp across roughly 2.55 million square meters of solar surface area, with disclosed project assets including the flagship PVA Bentwisch (4,624 kWp), PVA Hettstedt (954 kWp), PVA Willich (721 kWp), PVA Pretzsch (750 kWp), PVA Bad Düben (512 kWp), and PVA Bad Bibra (454 kWp). Operations use drone-based site surveying, 3D project modeling, and an online monitoring portal for installed assets. Leadership comprises Clemens Östreich as Managing Director, with Philipp Schäfer serving as Managing Director of the broader Sonnenexpert Unternehmensgruppe holding structure.

The business model combines EPC revenue from installation projects with recurring income streams from technical operations and maintenance contracts and rental income from leased roof or land surfaces hosting PV arrays, plus solar investment products sold to investor customers. Revenue mechanics are project-based with long-duration tail economics underpinned by Germany's EEG 20-year feed-in tariff eligibility. The company reports a headcount of approximately 23 employees and pursues regional brand-building through sponsorship of northern German sports franchises including F.C. Hansa Rostock, Rostock Seawolves, SSC Palmberg Schwerin, and MC Güstrow.

Name

Sonnenexpert GmbH

Legal name

Sonnenexpert GmbH

Website

https://sonnenexpert.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Solar EPC Services

NAICS

Solar Electric Power Generation (221114), Roofing Contractors (238160)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Utility-Scale PV EPC (Engineering, Procurement & Construction) (EUACAGAB), Solar Roofing & Roof-Mounted PV Systems (IMADAFAO)

Keywords

• Photovoltaic installation
• Solar EPC services
• Commercial rooftop solar
• Ground-mounted solar parks
• Solar investment assets

Headquarters

HQ city

Roggentin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. PV System Design, Installation, and Project Sales: The primary revenue stream comes from planning, designing, and installing photovoltaic systems on rooftops and freestanding solar farms for property owners, businesses, and investors. Revenue is generated through project-based fees for large-scale commercial and industrial PV installations, including solar parks.
2. Land and Roof Leasing (Freiflächen- und Dachflächenverpachtung): Sonnenexpert generates recurring income by leasing land and roof surfaces from third-party property owners for the development and operation of solar farms and rooftop PV installations. Property owners receive long-term lease payments over 20–30 year contract terms.
3. Technical Operations Management and Maintenance: Annual maintenance visits, 24/7 remote monitoring, fault diagnostics, and on-site repair services for installed PV systems. Revenue is generated through annual maintenance contracts and ad-hoc service engagements.
4. Solar Investment Objects (Investitionsobjekte): Sale of turnkey solar investment assets to private and institutional investors, including land-leased PV systems with 20-year EEG (German Renewable Energy Sources Act) feed-in tariff contracts, ground book registrations, and financing assistance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Sonnenexpert GmbH plans, designs, and installs complex commercial and industrial photovoltaic systems — including rooftop PV arrays and ground-mounted solar parks — for property owners, agricultural businesses, industrial firms, municipalities, and institutional investors across Germany. The company complements installation with roof renovation services (including certified asbestos remediation), energy storage integration, ongoing technical operations management with 24/7 remote monitoring, and the sale of turnkey solar investment objects backed by 20-year EEG feed-in tariffs. Its offering is structured as full EPC delivery combined with long-term land and roof leasing, maintenance, and asset-management services.

Product overview

Sonnenexpert GmbH is a specialist provider of complex photovoltaic systems operating as a unified product and service portfolio. The company offers solar roof installations and solar parks (core products), complemented by energy storage solutions as add-on modules. Services include roof renovation, maintenance, technical operations management, land lease for solar development, and photovoltaic investment opportunities. The company serves commercial enterprises, property owners, and investors seeking to participate in solar energy projects throughout Germany, with private household solutions provided through the affiliated company fri Energy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Solardächer (Solar Roofs)
• Solarparks (Solar Parks)
• Freiflächen- und Dachflächenverpachtung (Land and Roof Leasing)
• Investitionsobjekte (Solar Investment Objects)
• Dachsanierung (Roof Renovation)
• Technische Betriebsführung (Technical Operations Management)
• Wartung (Maintenance)
• Energiespeicher (Energy Storage)

Quantifiable outcome

• Annual electricity generation capacity of 364,273,289 kWh across all installed systems
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• F.C. Hansa RostockcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Sonnenexpert is an official Business Partner of F.C. Hansa Rostock for the 2026/2027 season. The partnership includes pitch-side LED and perimeter advertising at Ostseestadion, participation in the Hansa Sponsor Cup, and co-branded marketing activations. The partnership targets local businesses, property owners, and municipalities in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
• Rostock SeawolvescoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Sonnenexpert extended its sponsorship with the Rostock Seawolves (Basketball Bundesliga) for the 2025/2026 season. Includes 'fri Wurf' (free throw presentation), Wolf's Den branding, and VIP hospitality. The partnership targets regional businesses and sports fans, reinforcing the company's brand identity of energy, passion, and team spirit.
• SSC Palmberg SchwerincoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Sonnenexpert is an official partner of SSC Palmberg Schwerin (Volleyball Bundesliga) for the 2025/2026 season. Branding appears in Palmberg Arena through LED boards and digital media. The partnership promotes solar energy through a sport that embodies passion, teamwork, and peak performance.
• MC GüstrowminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Sonnenexpert and its brand fri Energy sponsor the MC Güstrow (Speedway Bundesliga — Torros Güstrow), promoting regional motorsport and community engagement in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern since 2025.
• JA SolarcoreTechnology or IntegrationJA Solar is listed as a premium manufacturer partner supplying high-efficiency solar modules for Sonnenexpert's PV installations. The partnership ensures a consistent supply of quality solar panels for projects across Germany.
• Huawei FusionSolarcoreTechnology or IntegrationHuawei FusionSolar is listed as a premium manufacturer partner providing inverter technology for Sonnenexpert's PV installations. Huawei's inverters and smart PV management systems are integrated into Sonnenexpert's commercial and residential solar projects.
• SungrowcoreTechnology or IntegrationSungrow is listed as a premium manufacturer partner supplying inverters for Sonnenexpert's solar installations, supporting projects across commercial and utility-scale segments.
• LongicoreTechnology or IntegrationLongi is listed as a premium manufacturer partner providing monocrystalline solar modules for Sonnenexpert's PV projects, ensuring high performance across rooftop and ground-mount installations.
• BYD Energy (b4energy)coreTechnology or IntegrationBYD Energy is listed as a premium manufacturer partner supplying energy storage systems for Sonnenexpert's PV installations, enabling commercial and residential customers to maximize self-consumption of solar electricity.
• Solar-LogcoreTechnology or IntegrationSolar-Log is listed as a premium partner providing monitoring and data management platforms for Sonnenexpert's installed PV systems, enabling real-time performance tracking and remote diagnostics.
• Krannich SolarcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKrannich Solar is listed as a premium distributor partner supplying PV components, inverters, and mounting systems to Sonnenexpert for installation across its project portfolio.
• Q CellscoreTechnology or IntegrationQ Cells is listed as a premium manufacturer partner providing solar modules for Sonnenexpert's commercial and utility-scale PV installations.
• viminds Digitalmarketing GmbHminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partnerviminds Digitalmarketing GmbH is credited with the layout and technical implementation of Sonnenexpert's website, supporting the company's digital marketing and online presence.
• Plant for FutureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSonnenexpert partners with Plant for Future to offset the environmental impact of its PV installations. For every installed solar system, the company plants a tree and protects 1 square meter of Amazon rainforest. Personalised certificates are issued to customers with their final invoices. As of the latest data, 362 trees have been planted and 144.8 tonnes of CO₂ offset.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Zolar: Zolar is a Berlin-based German digital solar installer operating a marketplace plus EPC model for residential PV and storage. Comparable as a German PV installer; while Zolar is primarily residential, it increasingly competes for the same commercial and small-business customer segments.
• Enerix: Enerix is a German franchise network of regional PV installers serving residential and commercial customers across Germany. Directly comparable as a regionally distributed EPC competing for similar commercial rooftop projects and operating with a similar sales-led, regional model.
• Solarwatt: Solarwatt is a Dresden-based German manufacturer and installer of PV modules and integrated solar systems with storage. Comparable as a vertically integrated German solar player with operations in module supply, installation, and energy management, overlapping with Sonnenexpert's commercial and residential segments.
• Enpal: Enpal is a major German solar leasing and installation company providing PV, storage, and heat pump solutions to homeowners. Comparable as a German solar installer though focused on residential; competes for the same end-customer pool and increasingly for commercial customers.
• Goldbeck Solar: Goldbeck Solar is a German EPC specializing in large-scale ground-mount solar parks and commercial rooftop installations, including investor-targeted projects. Highly comparable in the utility-scale solar park segment and EEG-backed investment product positioning.
• IBC Solar: IBC Solar is a long-established German photovoltaic EPC and module distributor headquartered in Bad Staffelstein, installing utility-scale and commercial rooftop PV systems across Germany. Directly comparable as a full-service German PV installer targeting commercial, industrial, and investor customers with a similar product portfolio.
• Behrendt Energie: Behrendt Energie (Behrendt Gruppe) is a German regional EPC with operations across multiple German states installing commercial and industrial PV systems. Comparable as a similarly sized regional German PV installer with utility-scale project experience and an investor product offering.
• 1Komma5°: 1Komma5° is one of Germany's largest residential and commercial solar EPC players, offering PV, storage, and energy management with an integrated "Heartbeat" operating system. Comparable as a German full-service solar installer competing for the same commercial rooftop and end-customer demand.

Broad incumbents

• BayWa r.e. BayWa r.e. is a major German-headquartered global renewable energy developer, EPC, and asset manager operating across solar, wind, and storage. Comparable as a German-rooted solar EPC with a much broader portfolio, overlapping in utility-scale solar parks and investor-targeted renewable projects.
• Juwi: juwi is a large German renewable energy developer and EPC with broad operations across wind, solar, and storage, including utility-scale solar parks. Comparable as a German solar EPC, though significantly larger and broader in scope than Sonnenexpert, offering overlapping capabilities in ground-mount PV development.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCQ5ZjV7ZJ4cI3S5VcJ
• Facebookfacebook.com/Sonnenexpert
• Instagraminstagram.com/sonnenexpert
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sonnenexpert-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Sonnenexpert GmbH