What Switch2Solar does

Switch2Solar is a Netherlands-based professional training and education provider focused on the solar, storage, and energy management sectors, founded in 2009 and operating as a division of Switch B.V. The company delivers a comprehensive curriculum spanning solar PV design and installation, battery storage systems, home energy advisory, electrical fundamentals, and scope-12 inspection training, with formats including classroom courses at its Lexmond training center, in-company training at client sites, and self-paced e-learning. Its core technology is an e-learning platform combined with proprietary certification curricula and admin tooling for the Solar-Register, a national quality register of certified solar and storage professionals that the company administers. Switch2Solar is also the exclusive Benelux distributor for Valentin Software's PV*SOL, PV*SOL Premium, T*SOL, and GeoT*SOL simulation tools, and is an officially recognized InstallQ training organization that administers national certification examinations.

The business model is primarily fee-for-service training (€895–€1,895 per participant for multi-day courses), complemented by recurring software license revenue (€585–€845 per user per year), examination fees, venue rental at the Lexmond facility, and the BatterijMeesters joint program with De Zonnemeesters. Go-to-market is sales-led and B2B, targeting installers, inspectors, asset managers, government bodies, water boards, grid operators, and energy advisors, with channel partnerships through InstallQ, Wij Techniek (training vouchers up to €1,500), and industry publications. The operation is small — 5 fixed employees plus 12 freelance trainers — and has remained privately held under founder Emiel Ponte with no external funding rounds.

Name

Switch2Solar

Legal name

Switch B.V.

Website

https://switch2solar.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Switch2Solar is a Dutch training provider, founded in 2009, delivering certified professional courses in solar PV, battery storage, and energy management to installers, inspectors, and asset managers across the Benelux, while also distributing Valentin Software design tools and administering the national Solar-Register and InstallQ examinations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Training and Certification

NAICS

Computer Training (611420), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

akta.pro primary industry

Solar Workforce, Training & Safety Services (Installer Training, Certification, EHS) (EUAMABAO)

Keywords

• Solar professional training
• Energy storage certification
• PV design software
• InstallQ certification training
• Energy management education

Headquarters

HQ city

Breda

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Professional Training Courses: Classroom and e-learning courses for solar, storage and energy management professionals. Courses include Solar-Specialist, Storage-Specialist, Storage-Fitter, Home-Energy-Specialist, Solar-Manager, and various technical and soft skills training. Revenue generated through course fees ranging from €895 to €1,895 per participant.
2. Software Distribution: Benelux distributor and service point for Valentin Software's PV*SOL, PV*SOL Premium, T*SOL and GeoT*SOL software. Revenue from software licenses sold to professionals in the solar industry.
3. Incompany Training: Customized training programs delivered at client locations for organizations seeking to upskill their teams in solar, storage and energy management.
4. Examination Services: National InstallQ examinations administered at their Lexmond facility, including both written and practical assessments for certification purposes.
5. Training Center Rental: Meeting and conference facilities rental at their Lexmond location, including training rooms, catering, and exam facilities for external organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Switch2Solar delivers professional training, certification, and examination services for the solar, storage, and energy management sector in the Benelux, including diploma programs (Solar-Specialist, Storage-Specialist, Storage-Fitter, Home-Energy-Specialist, Solar-Manager, Solar-Inspector), soft skills courses, in-company training, and InstallQ-recognized qualifications. The company is also the Benelux distributor and first-line support point for Valentin Software's PV*SOL, PV*SOL Premium, T*SOL, and GeoT*SOL design and simulation tools, and operates a meeting and exam venue at its Lexmond training academy.

Product overview

Switch2Solar is a training and education provider for the solar, storage, and energy management sector, operating since 2009. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of professional training programs organized around three pillars: (1) Solar-specialist training programs including Solar-Specialist, Solar-Specialist Online, Solar-Allround, Solar-Design, Solar-Topfitter, Solar-Inspector, and various electrical and technical modules; (2) Storage and energy management training including Storage-Specialist, Storage-Fitter, Home-Energy-Specialist, Home-Energy-Basics, Home-Energy-Advanced, and Solar-Manager; and (3) Software distribution as Benelux partner for Valentin Software's PV*SOL Premium, PV*SOL, T*SOL, and GeoT*SOL design tools. The company also provides InstallQ-recognized qualifications and SCIOS Scope 12 inspection training. Training delivery formats include classroom, e-learning, online, and in-company options. Upon completing most programs, professionals are registered in the Solar-Register and receive logo usage rights. The company also operates a meeting/training venue in Lexmond.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BatterijMeesters: A joint brand by Switch2Solar and De Zonnemeesters offering complete implementation trajectory for home battery installation, from training to controlled installation.

Products and services

• Solar-Specialist

Quantifiable outcome

• 200+ Solar-Specialists trained since 2009
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments7 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

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Valentin SoftwarecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2009Switch2Solar serves as Benelux distributor and service point for Valentin Software's PV*SOL, PV*SOL Premium, T*SOL and GeoT*SOL software products. They handle sales, distribution, and first-line support for the Dutch, Belgian and Luxembourgish markets. Technical support is escalated to Valentin Software's helpdesk in Germany.
• De ZonnemeesterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint initiative 'BatterijMeesters' (Battery Masters) combining expertise in training, examination, practical guidance and quality control for home battery installation companies. Provides comprehensive implementation trajectory from training through controlled installation.
• SubsidiebuddyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for providing subsidy application support services to clients. Subsidiebuddy assists with SPRILA, Flex-e and other subsidy programs for energy storage and charging infrastructure.
• Wij TechniekcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership enabling employees of Wij Techniek member companies to access training vouchers (up to €1,500) for Switch2Solar courses. Supports professional development in the technical installation sector under the collective labor agreement.
• InstallQcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial InstallQ recognized training organization. Provides InstallQ-approved courses and administers national InstallQ certification examinations for the solar and storage installation industry.
• Solar-RegistercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwitch2Solar administers the Solar-Register, the national quality register for certified solar and storage professionals. Graduates of their courses can register and use professional certification logos.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• HeatSpring: Online learning platform for solar PV, building performance, and HVAC professionals with self-paced courses and certification prep. Comparable on e-learning delivery model and B2B professional audience.
• Solar Energy International: US-based non-profit solar training organization offering hands-on workshops, online courses, and professional certification for PV installers and designers worldwide. Directly comparable as a dedicated solar training provider serving industry professionals.

Regional players

• Deutsche Gesellschaft für Sonnenenergie (DGS): German Solar Energy Society providing training and certification programs for solar PV professionals in Germany. Comparable as a European solar training ecosystem, but operating in a different geography.
• ISSO: Dutch knowledge center for building services, HVAC, and energy systems providing training and reference materials. Comparable on Dutch building energy training, but with broader scope than just solar.

Broad incumbents

• Techniek Nederland: Dutch trade association for technical installation sector providing industry training, certifications, and labor agreements. Comparable as a broader Dutch technical training ecosystem partner, though not exclusively solar.
• Clean Energy Council: Australian clean energy industry body administering PV installer accreditation and approved retailer programs. Comparable as a national accreditation body for solar installers.
• Solar Energy UK: UK solar industry trade association providing installer accreditation, training standards, and certification frameworks. Comparable as a national solar training ecosystem serving a different geography.

Others

• Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC): US clean energy training and credentialing framework organization. Comparable as an ecosystem framework builder for clean energy training programs and credentials.
• NABCEP: North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners — US PV certification body that administers installer credentials. Related as a complementary certification ecosystem rather than direct training competitor.
• SolarPower Europe: European solar industry association representing solar PV companies and promoting workforce development. Related as a European solar industry body supporting training initiatives.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/switch2solar

Compliance3 records

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 Switch2Solar