1KOMMA5° is a fast-growing clean energy company headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, focused on providing integrated, carbon-neutral energy solutions for residential customers. Founded in 2021, this innovative company has quickly established itself as a European leader in home electrification by combining high-tech products such as solar panels, battery storage, heat pumps, and electric vehicle charging stations with an advanced AI-powered energy management platform called Heartbeat. With a mission to connect 1.5 million buildings to their platform by 2030 and eliminate reliance on fossil fuels, 1KOMMA5° represents a pivotal force in the global transition towards sustainable, affordable, and intelligent energy systems.
Founded in 2021 by Jannik Schall, Micha Grueber, Michael Hinderer, Philip Liesenfeld, and CEO Philipp Schröder, 1KOMMA5° saw unprecedented growth in just a few years. By 2024, the company reported record revenues exceeding €520 million and employed around 2,500 people worldwide. It reached unicorn status within just 23 months of inception, making it one of the fastest-growing cleantech startups in Europe. This rapid expansion highlights the strong market demand for renewable residential energy solutions and the company's effective business model.
1KOMMA5° distinguishes itself by offering a comprehensive one-stop-shop for everything related to home energy transition. Their product suite includes high-efficiency solar panels, innovative battery storage systems, smart heat pumps, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. By integrating hardware with software, they provide customers with customized systems that maximize energy production and consumption efficiency. This holistic approach supports long-term independence from fossil fuels and utility grids.
Central to 1KOMMA5°'s value proposition is Heartbeat, an AI-driven energy management platform. Built on Google Cloud technologies, Heartbeat collects and analyzes real-time data from customers’ devices to optimize energy flows, lower emissions, and reduce electricity costs. Through predictive analytics, the platform intelligently manages solar energy, storage, and consumption patterns, empowering homeowners to maximize renewable energy usage while helping stabilize power grids.
1KOMMA5° is deeply committed to accelerating the transition to carbon-neutral lifestyles. Their operations emphasize measurable CO2 emissions reductions across all activities, from sourcing materials locally in Europe to designing highly efficient products. The company’s use of German-produced polysilicon for their TOPCon solar modules exemplifies their strategy to build a clean, regional supply chain that supports sustainable manufacturing and mitigates environmental impact.
A standout feature of 1KOMMA5°’s offerings is their TOPCon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) solar modules, which incorporate cutting-edge technology to achieve maximum efficiency with minimal carbon footprint. Made with high-quality materials, including German Wacker polysilicon, these panels come with a 30-year product and performance warranty, underscoring their durability and reliability.
Operating primarily in Europe and Australia, 1KOMMA5° is established as one of the leading providers of home electrification systems. Despite challenging market conditions including supply chain constraints and market fluctuations, the company achieved a whopping 36% organic sales growth in 2024. It competes with other startups like Spain’s Sunhero but differentiates itself through product integration, technology, and a holistic customer experience.
Rather than applying traditional fixed electricity tariffs with high margins, 1KOMMA5° employs a flat software fee model, charging customers for the Heartbeat platform's services. This innovative approach allows customers to benefit from real-time, individually optimized electricity prices while the company benefits from scaling its AI-based management platform rather than just hardware sales, creating a more sustainable and customer-focused revenue stream.
With ambitions to connect 1.5 million buildings to its platform by 2030, 1KOMMA5° is actively expanding its footprint beyond Germany to other European markets and Australia. The company has focused acquisitions like Solaray Energy in Australia to build a comprehensive New Energy ecosystem abroad. In parallel, it is preparing for an IPO to accelerate growth and broaden impact.
While the company leads in technology and growth, customer reviews reveal challenges in customer support and warranty service, particularly regarding the handling of product faults like micro inverters and battery replacements. These operational hurdles represent areas for improvement as 1KOMMA5° scales its operations globally.
1KOMMA5° plays a critical role in Europe’s energy transition by promoting decentralized, renewable residential energy assets. Their integrated solutions not only reduce dependency on fossil fuel providers but actively support grid stabilization through smart energy management. By empowering homeowners and accelerating adoption of clean technology, 1KOMMA5° is helping to shape a sustainable energy future.
1KOMMA5° exemplifies the dynamic potential of clean technology startups to revolutionize how energy is produced, stored, and consumed at home. Through its advanced integrated systems, innovative AI-powered platform, and strong sustainability commitments, the company is driving rapid growth in renewable energy adoption and making carbon-neutral living achievable for millions. As it expands internationally and prepares for an IPO, 1KOMMA5° stands at the forefront of the global energy transition, challenging conventional power models and inspiring a future where energy independence and environmental responsibility go hand in hand. What impact will such integrated, AI-driven solutions have on future energy markets worldwide?