Otovo has grown steadily in recent years, successfully expanded internationally and is thus ready to enter the largest European market.
"Our goal is to cut people's electricity bills in half with affordable and green solar energy," says Rahn, who joins Otovo from mobility platform BlaBlaCar.
"I put solar on my own house 10 years ago. Today, the price of new solar panels is less than a third of what it was then, while electricity prices have more than doubled at the same time. More and more German homeowners will recognize the potential of solar systems and electricity storage, and I look forward to helping them do so with our platform," Christian Rahn continues.
Solar plus storage offered
With a solar installation, an average German household can expect to save €25,000 to €35,000 over a 20-year period from lower electricity bills and selling the electricity it does not consume to the grid.
"In addition to solar systems, we will offer electricity storage so homeowners can minimize their own electricity costs.
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In addition to purchasing the system, solar panel rentals will also be an important part of our offering, as it will give homeowners the opportunity to use solar energy with no upfront costs. Overall, we will help to drive forward the energy transition in Germany and at the same time strengthen people's purchasing power," says Rahn.
With the German market, Otovo is now represented in seven European countries, including Sweden, Norway, France, Spain, Poland, Italy and Germany.
"Christian brings optimal market building experience to the German market entry. He knows how to scale, how to build teams and how to introduce innovative concepts to the German market," says Otovo CEO Andreas Thorsheim.
Local qualified installers
For homeowners, Otovo is the easiest way to own a solar system, Rahn says.
A network of local, qualified solar installers is connected to the Otovo platform. Otovo technology analyzes the home's potential and configures the appropriate system.
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An automated bidding process then identifies the optimal installer with the best price and matches them with the homeowner.
Otovo's German team will be based in Berlin and the official launch will take place before the end of 2021.
"Initially, the focus is on building our partner network as well as developing our team. We plan to hire many new employees starting in September. Marketing, Sales, Operations and Business Development ", says Rahn. (hcn)
