Collective Energy

Collective Energy GmbH operates as a specialized service provider in Austria’s renewable energy sector, focusing on empowering businesses, municipalities, and organizations to transition to sustainable energy solutions. The company was founded in Vienna in 2015 by Christoph Zinganell, who currently serves as the CEO. His vision was to create a central platform for collectively financed photovoltaic and e-mobility projects.

The firm's business model is structured around three core pillars: consulting, contracting, and crowdfunding. In its consulting capacity, Collective Energy guides clients from initial strategy development to the complete implementation of energy projects, which includes energy monitoring, identifying efficiency measures, and navigating grant funding processes. A key service is the development and operation of photovoltaic (PV) systems through a contracting model, where Collective Energy assumes the investment costs, risk, and operational management, allowing clients like Cineplexx cinemas to access solar power without upfront capital expenditure. The company has successfully brought over one megawatt of PV capacity online through this model in 2023 alone and is increasingly focusing on PV-carport projects.

A distinct aspect of their operation is the use of innovative financing mechanisms that actively involve the community. Through crowdfunding and citizen participation models, customers and local residents can invest in renewable energy projects. This approach not only secures project funding but also provides investors with returns in the form of vouchers or price advantages on the products and services of the company hosting the solar installation, fostering regional value creation. For example, a campaign for the Austria Wien football club raised over 100,000 euros from fans, who received discounts in return.

In May 2024, Collective Energy was acquired by Lazard Sustainable Private Infrastructure (Lazard SPI), a division of the global asset management group Lazard. This acquisition aims to accelerate the company's growth, leveraging Lazard's experience in scaling renewable energy platforms to expand Collective Energy's project pipeline with new and existing clients. The management team, led by Christoph Zinganell, continues to operate the company within the new structure, focusing on expanding its services for behind-the-meter energy generation in the Austrian market.

Keywords: photovoltaic contracting, renewable energy financing, community solar, energy transition services, crowdfunding energy projects, solar project development, PV consulting, sustainable energy Austria, citizen participation models, solar carports, energy communities, rooftop solar, commercial solar solutions, e-mobility projects, renewable energy investment, corporate energy strategy, solar power purchase agreement, Vienna, Christoph Zinganell, Lazard Sustainable Private Infrastructure