Energy Unplugged by Aurora EP.221 Benjamin Merle, Chief Product Officer, Enpal
Nov 27, 2024
Benjamin Merle, Chief Product Officer at Enpal, a leading German solar installer, joins Hanns Koenig to discuss solar energy solutions in Germany. They tackle supply chain security amid geopolitical tensions and explore the concept of virtual power plants. Benjamin reveals how machine learning enhances energy forecasting and why regulatory reforms for rooftop solar incentives are crucial. He also highlights innovations in financing, transforming the customer experience from sales models to more accessible leasing and loan options.
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Enpal's COVID Response
- Enpal proactively addressed the COVID crisis by establishing a supply chain office in China in May 2020.
- This allowed them to secure hardware when European competitors struggled with lockdowns and supply chain disruptions.
German Rooftop Solar Market
- The German rooftop solar market consists of mom-and-pop shops, large utilities, and scale-ups.
- Mom-and-pop shops excel at customer acquisition but lack tech solutions, while utilities struggle with adapting to the market.
VPP Trading Strategy
- Enpal's virtual power plant (VPP) trades flexibility in the continuous intraday market, not just dynamic tariffs.
- This approach leverages higher volatility and frequent forecast updates for better value creation.