By BINSDORF, Germany — The merger of Solare Datensysteme GmbH and BKW will create highly attractive synergies for both companies. BKW is entering into the photovoltaic service business, responding to the growing customer needs to produce energy themselves and to have smart consumption management.
With BKW, Solare Datensysteme GmbH gains access to power trading and additional potential customers. BKW has over 1,000,000 customers in Switzerland alone, not to mention its strong BKW customer base in Germany, France and Italy.
Solare Datensysteme GmbH can also expand its product portfolio to include other renewable energy sectors.
Solare Datensysteme GmbH (SDS), based in Geislingen-Binsdorf, is the market leader for monitoring photovoltaic plants. Since 2005, SDS has developed and distributed its Solar-Log™ devices and customer-specific web solutions with its Solar-Log™ Portal. Its solutions go beyond just PV plant monitoring for smart energy and include feed-in management and numerous system enhancements that effectively support operators and installers around the world. The specialist for inverterindependent “Made in Germany” monitoring systems, SDS products are used in 65 countries to monitor more than 1.33 million MPP trackers with a total output of over 9.9 gigawatts.
For BKW, the acquisition of SDS is another step towards implementing its strategy of becoming a provider of comprehensive energy solutions. BKW is expanding and strengthening its expertise in the area of energy efficiency, developing its know-how in the promising market for PV monitoring and the optimization of self-produced power consumption. Together BKW and SDS will continue to develop innovative solutions in the area of building technology and optimization of self-consumption. As a company that develops manufacturer-independent solutions, SDS is well prepared to take advantages of synergies with Ampard, for example, a start-up company that BKW has a stake in. SDS and BKW will develop joint solutions and products for energy management that can be globally marketed.
“We are delighted to have found a strong partner like BKW, which also shares our values and is close to us geographically,” says Frank Schlichting, CEO of Solare Datensysteme. “And this means our key unique selling point of vendor independence will remain unaffected.” Suzanne Thoma, CEO of BKW, underscores the importance of the acquisition: “BKW is looking forward to working on some exciting and pioneering projects with its new subsidiary and welcomes all SDS employees to the BKW family.”
The parties have agreed not to disclose the transaction value.
The acquisition is due to be completed in September.
BKW
BKW AG is an international energy and infrastructure business headquartered in Bern. Together with its subsidiaries, the company currently employs just under 4,000 people. The diversity of the company’s expertise allows it to offer its customers a full range of tailored services. It plans, builds and operates infrastructure to produce and supply energy for businesses, households and the public sector. The BKW’s distribution grid, the largest in Switzerland, provides one million people with a reliable supply of power around the clock. BKW has a strong sense of social responsibility. Alongside its investment in renewable energy, it seeks to make efficient use of resources and is involved in research programmes to develop innovative technologies to support a sustainable, secure future for the supply infrastructure. The registered shares of BKW AG are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and the BX Berne eXchange.
Solare Datensysteme GmbH
Solare Datensysteme GmbH (SDS) is headquartered in the southern German town of Geislingen-Binsdorf and is one of the leading companies for solar monitoring, offering a global service for operators and installers. The company specialises in the development and sale of monitoring systems for photovoltaic installations. SDS’s core competence covers innovative products with short development cycles and an excellent cost/performance ratio. Since 2005, SDS has been developing and marketing a range of products, including the Solar-Log™ product line, which is already available in many European countries. SDS’s solutions play an important role in successfully integrating renewable energies into a smart electricity grid and making the energy transition a reality.
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