Sonnen
Sonnen innovates intelligent home battery solutions that store energy for when you need it and provide reliable backup power â with or without solar.
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$71.0m | Series E | ||
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
Sonnen GmbH operates as a significant entity in the renewable energy sector, specializing in home energy storage solutions for private households and small businesses. Founded in 2010 by Christoph Ostermann and Torsten Stiefenhofer in Wildpoldsried, Germany, the company initially focused on developing a home battery to be marketed as the sonnenBatterie, which launched in 2011. This product was designed to increase the self-consumption of solar power for homeowners with photovoltaic systems, allowing them to store energy generated during the day for use at night. The fully integrated system includes battery modules, a power inverter, and energy management units. The company primarily uses lithium iron phosphate batteries.
The business model is multifaceted, generating revenue from the direct sale of its hardware, such as the sonnenBatterie, and from recurring service fees for energy management and virtual power plant (VPP) integration. This dual approach targets both residential and commercial markets. In 2016, Sonnen established the sonnenCommunity, a network where members can share surplus power with one another, aiming to create a decentralized energy system. This initiative also serves to boost the sales of its battery systems. Products are distributed through selected specialty dealers rather than wholesale trade. Key markets include Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the UK, the US, and Australia.
A major milestone in the company's history was its acquisition by Shell in March 2019, after which it became a wholly-owned subsidiary within Shell's New Energies division while retaining its brand and leadership. Prior to the full acquisition, Shell had led a significant funding round in May 2018. The acquisition was intended to accelerate the provision of integrated energy services and electric vehicle charging solutions. In October 2020, co-founder Christoph Ostermann stepped down as CEO and was succeeded by Oliver Koch, who had been the COO since 2014 and was instrumental in the company's expansion into the US and Australia. Sonnen has production facilities in Germany, the United States, and Australia to serve its international markets.
Keywords: energy storage systems, sonnenBatterie, home battery, renewable energy, residential solar, virtual power plant, VPP, decentralized energy, energy self-sufficiency, lithium-ion batteries, smart energy management, Shell New Energies, Christoph Ostermann, Oliver Koch, sonnenCommunity, clean energy, solar power storage, grid services, residential energy storage, energy independence, EV charging solutions, battery technology