zolar operates an online platform that provides homeowners and regional tradespeople access to individual residential solar solutions and related energy-management products. The company recently launched zolar Easypay, a flexible, individual instalment loan that lets customers choose between a one-time upfront payment or a monthly fee to own systems. This financing product expands zolar’s consumer offering and aims to make solar adoption more accessible and affordable. zolar states its mission is to enable people to benefit from self-generated green energy while contributing to climate protection. The company aims to supply more than ten million European households with renewable energy by 2030. Since being founded in 2016, zolar has raised close to €300 million to support its growth. Zolar offers an online configurator that simplifies buying or leasing customized rooftop solar systems for homeowners and coordinates installations through a network of local craft businesses. The company says enquiries about installing solar systems have more than quadrupled this year amid rising energy prices, and it currently works with 500 local installers. Zolar plans to expand that Craftship Partner Network to 3,000 installers by 2025 and will open a training centre this year to address the renewable sector skills gap. The product roadmap includes new digital energy features such as an energy management system, a dynamic electricity tariff and a smart control to auto-charge electric cars at optimal times. Zolar has previously raised €59 million and its installer network recently benefited from $23 million in support from Ecosia. CEO Alex Melzer has set a goal to supply 10 million European households with either a solar system or renewable energy by 2030. Zolar provides residential customers with photovoltaic systems using an all-in rental/lease model designed to lower upfront costs and bureaucratic barriers. Customers can rent systems for as little as €54/month, with monthly pricing tied to individual electricity consumption and system size. Leases run for 20 years, after which homeowners can purchase the system for a symbolic €1 and typically continue to use it for another ~10 years. The company aims to expand into new markets and will deploy fresh capital to accelerate that growth. Zolar positions its offering similarly to competitor Enpal and emphasizes making solar energy accessible, affordable, and effective for a broad consumer base. The company is led by founder and CEO Alex Melzer. Zolar provides fixed-priced photovoltaic systems through an in-house Zolar Online Configurator that lets homeowners plan, compare and commission PV systems online. The company pairs its digital sales platform with a network of local partner installers to deliver end-to-end rooftop solar deployments. Zolar is expanding its product portfolio to integrate energy storage and electric mobility, and aims to enable electrified, smart households. Management says revenue grew significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic and the company is targeting to triple installations across Germany in 2021. Zolar positions itself as a customer-centric next-generation energy company focused on decentralised renewable systems and carbon footprint reduction. The Berlin startup employs around 150 people across Germany and emphasizes climate protection as a primary business priority. Zolar develops photovoltaic systems and energy-management solutions for homes, producing solar panel systems that provide power when needed and store the rest. Its core products include the Zolar Online Configurator for customers and the Zolar Project Center portal for partnered installation technicians to digitise their work. The company aims to become a key data provider for the accelerated energy transition by optimising its digital platforms and expanding internationally. According to a press release, revenues this year have doubled compared to 2019. Zolar will use the new funding to expand abroad and to establish itself as a go-to company for clean energy and individual solar systems, CEO Alex Melzer said. Founded in 2016 and based in Berlin, the startup previously raised a €4 million Series A three years earlier.

Total raised

$271M

Funding rounds

6

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Apr 2024