SolarKapital acquires a stake in ENcome, a technical operator of photovoltaic power plants

 

- SolarKapital takes over nearly 40% of ENcome Energy Performance GmbH - “Buy&Build” strategy to establish a leading independent Pan-European service provider for photovoltaic power plants - Current service portfolio of photovoltaic power plants comprises already about 130MWp

Klagenfurt am Wörthersee/Frankfurt am Main (05.02.2014) –Since mid-January SolarKapital GmbH & Co. O&M KG holds nearly 40% of shares in ENcome Energy Performance GmbH. Both companies aim to establish a leading Pan-European independent photovoltaic service provider. The targeted growth will be achieved in a twofold approach, organically as well as anorganically. The current corporate service portfolio for photovoltaic power plants already includes about 130 MWp. The core service area is the technical operation (“Operations & Maintenance”).

„The Operations & Maintenance market offers considerable potential as O&M has a strong impact on the profitability of a photovoltaic power plant. Moreover, the photovoltaic boom in recent years has frequently neglected quality aspects during plant construction”, says Dr. Tobias Engelhardt, Managing Director at SolarKapital. Dr. Andreas Leimbach, also Managing Director at SolarKapital further comments: “With ENcome we have found a professional and agile partner with an international basis and the necessary critical size. Together with ENcome we want to grow substantially in the upcoming years.”

Both companies aim to expand ENcome as a leading European provider of Operation & Maintenance services for photovoltaic power plants. Alongside organic growth further acquisitions as part of a “Buy&Build” strategy are planned to achieve this goal.

“We are pleased to have found with SolarKapital such a long-term oriented, strategic partner, supporting our vision of a leading, independent photovoltaic service provider and providing an excellent network within the solar industry and financial sector”, states Mr. Gerhard Rabensteiner, founding member of ENcome Energy Performance GmbH.

„Many plant owners are more and more confronted with quality deficiencies in plant operation. Large component manufacturers and EPCs had to withdraw from the market due to the challenging market situation in the past. Investors are therefore seeking for a reliable service partner. ENcome wants to close this gap as a constructor- and component-independent service provider”, explains Dr. Robin Hirschl, Chief Executive Officer of the ENcome Energy Performance Group.

The main aim of ENcome is to offer investors a holistic service for the optimal operation of the photovoltaic power plants along its entire life cycle. Beside Operation & Maintenance, ENcome’s service portfolio also includes performance improvement, repowering, asset disposal, project-related consulting expertise as well as technical and commercial evaluations (Due Diligence) for all stakeholders in the photovoltaic power plant business.

 

Background ENcome:

ENcome Energy Performance was founded by a team of three managers that bring together decades of experience in renewable energy business. Well skilled engineers ensure the best yield for every renewable energy park in any grid environment. ENcome offers all services along the asset lifecycle with one single point of contact. Together with subsidiaries and a partner network ENcome covers its service portfolio across Europe.

Background SolarKapital:

SolarKapital is a private-equity company solely focusing on the solar market. A hands-on attitude and extensive sector know-how provide competitive advantages and synergy effects to its portfolio companies. We strive for double-digit returns for our investors on the basis of an attractive risk/return profile. Significant investments of the partners ensure full alignment of interests. In the Operations & Maintenance business SolarKapital group already holds a majority of kWh+ Solar Service GmbH. Besides the group has also invested in photovoltaic power plants located in France, Greece and Germany.