In a recent study, the German market research and consulting company EuPD Research has analysed energy transition related activities of all nearly 1.300 German utility companies regarding electricity, heating, energy efficiency and mobility. The Bonn-based company has developed a quality model which allowed products and services offered by utilities to be evaluated objectively. It shows which utilities are already setting an example with respect to the energy transition and acting in the interests of the customer. In early 2017, between February and April, this model formed the basis of the first comprehensive study of its kind; of all utilities in Germany. The results show that by now every fifth utility already offers PV systems to their customers. Storage systems, too, are already well established as a complementary technology. 70% of the companies, who offer PV systems, also offer storage.
“Even though the change is coming slowly, utilities by now have realised that they have to cater to the new demands of end customers regarding products and services around the energy transition“ states Dr Martin Ammon, head of energy economics at EuPD Research.
Beyond the original supply of technology components, utility companies provide a sometimes broad variety of information and services. “These days utility companies often offer service features such as profitability calculators for PV systems with and without storage, or the identification of customer roofs via the solar cadastre,“ Ammon says. Moreover, the study results show that utilities offer various services around PV systems such as financing, insurance or maintenance.
Based on this complete survey the best utility companies will be awarded the “Energy Transition Award“ at Intersolar Europe on June 1st, 2017. Intersolar Europe, DCTI Deutsches CleanTech Institut and EuPD Research are the project initiators.
For further information see: www.energiewende-award.de
Intersolar Europe is the world’s leading exhibition for the solar industry and its partners and takes place annually at the Messe München exhibition center in Munich, Germany. The event’s exhibition and conference both focus on the areas of photovoltaics, energy storage systems, renewable heating technologies, as well as on products and solutions for smart renewable energy. Since being founded 25 years ago, Intersolar has become the most important industry platform for manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, service providers and partners of the solar industry.