Growth in Energy Access and Smart City markets
With operations in China, Germany and Hong Kong, OPES Solutions is strengthening its position as a global leading supplier for the fast growing off-grid Energy Access and Smart City markets. In the Energy Access market alone, driven mainly by pay-as-you go Solar Home Systems, OPES Solutions has already supplied more than 4 million customized off-grid solar modules over the last years.
OPES Solutions will use the capital to significantly expand its production and R&D activities. “With our factory in Changzhou, China, we are at the forefront of building a new industry together with our customers” says Robert Händel, CEO & Founder of OPES Solutions. “Our product development and manufacturing concept is tailored to the needs of our customers working with Off-Grid electrification in developing countries and new applications promoting mobility and sustainability in Smart Cities”.
The research activities of OPES Solutions include new solar module design & materials, direct integration of solar modules into innovative applications and development of innovative mass-manufacturing processes & equipment for small modules.
Investors with focus on two key global challenges
The investment focus of the new shareholders is perfectly matched to what the Founders of OPES Solutions aim to achieve, supporting the solar electrification of more than 1 billion people who are currently without energy access, as well as responding to the trend of fast growing cities all over the globe that require innovative technological solutions to be environmentally sustainable.
“Currently, $17 billion a year is spent on dirty energy in sub-Saharan Africa alone. Our investments target this huge market to improve access to clean energy through economically successful solutions. As the market leader for Off-grid solar modules, OPES Solutions is a perfect fit,” says Amar Inamdar, Managing Director at KawiSafi.
“Quadia invests in sustainable companies that drive the regenerative economy. For us, not only technical and economic factors are decisive, but also positive social and environmental impacts. The investment in OPES Solutions takes all these requirements into account as solar energy is a key element to enable mobile and sustainable solutions in today’s dynamically developing cities,” adds Daniel von Moltke, Managing Partner at Quadia.
Being part of building the Off-Grid Industry
Specially developed innovative production processes are key to the success of OPES Solutions. This technological edge enables the company to achieve fast product development & ramp-up cycles, high volume and consistent quality – despite a variety of small off-grid module designs – for which no standardized production equipment is available on the market. For example, the patented integrated Flying Fibre Laser from OPES Solutions increases the throughput of cutting solar cells by 8-fold, and with better quality and yield than comparable machines.
Tom Tang, CTO & Co-Founder of OPES Solutions: “Though we have come far without a financial partner in the past, KawiSafi and Quadia bring not only network & knowledge for our two key markets, but also financial power to give our key R&D &and expansion projects an important boost. We are all very excited to bring our company to the next level.”
About KawiSafi
KawiSafi is a venture capital fund that invests in fast-growing companies leading the new energy revolution. We put capital to work for good. Our goal is to drive clean energy access for millions of low-income people in East Africa while making competitive returns for investors. Where others see trade-offs between impact and returns, we see opportunities to scale. We believe the future of East Africa is a low-carbon economy. Decentralized energy solutions have a role to play, and KawiSafi’s portfolio is constructed to foster synergies across this ecosystem. Its portfolio companies are emerging leaders in residential and commercial energy, consumer financing, and more. Together, this ecosystem is bringing affordable, clean energy to millions of people. Learn more at http://www.kawisafi.com.
About Quadia
Founded in 2010, Quadia specializes in direct impact investments, though equity, debt and funds. In line with its mission « we finance the solutions for a regenerative economy », Quadia targets companies which have positioned their strategic development on products and service contributing to a regenerative economy. These transformative companies operate in the areas of clean energy, sustainable food and circular products and materials. Since its creation, Quadia has financed over 40 companies, projects and investment funds for the equivalent of EUR 180 million. Quadia is based in Geneva, Switzerland. For more information, visit www.quadia.ch.
About OPES Solutions
OPES is a technology, quality and market leader in the off-grid solar industry. The company focus is on design and production of solar modules, which are tailored to suit applications in the energy access and smart city markets. Flexible design, high durability and an outstanding price/performance ratio are achieved by innovative manufacturing processes implemented in the OPES plant in Changzhou, China. The research and development partners of OPES Solutions include the Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics. Business & Product development are based in Berlin, Germany.
