EIT Climate-KIC cleantech start-up Zolar attracts EUR 10 million Investment

The Berlin-based start-up simplifies access to solar energy systems for homeowners.

The EUR 10 million investment was raised in a Series B-round. Since it was founded in 2016, Zolar has offered photovoltaic systems through its digital end-to-end configuration platform. With simplicity at its core, the platform was designed to be particularly user-friendly so that individuals with limited expertise could make informed choices about their energy consumption. The EIT Climate-KIC supported platform demonstrates how solar energy can contribute to the renewable energy transition by supporting a behavioural change towards the purchase of solar systems for private use.

EIT Climate-KIC supported Zolar

The Zolar online configurator seamlessly takes over the entire concept of solar systems for individuals, from planning to insurance and financing, all the way to installation. The digitalised process makes it easier for consumers to purchase customised photovoltaic solutions at the fixed price specified in the online tool. An algorithm recommends suitable products, and the service is complemented by expert consultants. In addition, installation of the systems is performed by experienced technicians from Zolar’s partner and the EIT Climate-KIC network.

With the expansion of privately generated solar energy, Germany, Europe and the world could technically be supplied with 100 percent renewable energies. A fast fossil-fuel phase-out and a sustainable energy and mobility transition are thereby no longer merely a vision of the future.

Alex Melzer, CEO, Zolar

Alex Melzer has been working in the solar sector for more than 10 years, having successfully built up several companies in the solar industry in the past. Melzer’s stated purpose is a liveable future that is based on 100 percent renewable energy. Zolar supports the global movement of 'Fridays for Future', sharing the view that the economy needs to fully support and be the amplifier for the movement started by the students. Zolar’s investment backing from BayWa r.e. Energy Ventures and Inven Capital’s emphasises that the technical alternatives called upon by the youth already exist and are being funded successfully.

Zolar has the solution to one of the most pressing issues for photovoltaic customers: the online configurator has made planning a solar system as easy as never before. The installation of photovoltaic modules on private homes is often complex, time-consuming and unclear, particularly during the planning process. Zolar, on the other hand, ensures complete cost and performance transparency, a fixed price guarantee as well as integrated leasing and financing services. 

Ulrich Seitz, Managing Director, BayWa r.e. Energy Ventures

Zolar Project Centre – the digital tool for local installation partners

As a one-stop tool that includes everything needed for residential solar energy systems, Zolar not only supports homeowners but also local installers. EIT Climate-KIC supported Zolar cooperates with a large network of installation technicians across Germany.

The start-up provides ready-to-construct projects and automates the most time-intensive parts of the project regarding customer acquisition and order processing. The Zolar Project Centre combines all project-related information; the projects are reserved digitally by the partner. In the next development phase, the installation technicians’ route become more plannable and all financial transactions can be processed online. These completely digitalised and standardised procedures alleviate the workload for the installer and allow to focus on the installation of the photovoltaic systems.

Zolar is the digital partner for clean energy homeowners. With the automated platform, the start-up offers a first-class customer experience and a transparent price structure. At the same time, the online platform offers independent installation companies the opportunity to concentrate on their core business – the installation. Zolar takes care of the supply chain, procurement and digital project management. The demand for electricians on the European market is increasing and Zolar is perfectly positioned to accompany this transition.

Vincent Gregoir, Investment Manager, Inven Capital

The lead investors of the Series B financing round are BayWa r.e. Energy Ventures and the Czech venture capital fund Inven Capital. The existing investors, Heartcore Capital, Statkraft Ventures and Partech also participated in the round.