In these times of energy saving and the energy transition, the market for balcony power plants is booming. This means that everyone can easily generate electricity, feed it into the home network and thus noticeably reduce their electricity bill. The young entrepreneurs Maximilian Braun (27) from Würzburg and Julian Entner (24) from Hausen sell and assemble balcony power plants. With entrepreneurial courage, the two friends founded a company called Main-PluginSolar in April 2021. What were the reasons for this and how do the men work together?
Question: At 27 and 24 you are relatively young to found a company. How come and how do you know each other?
Maximilian Braun: We both come from Rottendorf and know each other from the adventure playground. For several years we built huts with the holiday children during the day and talked to each other in the evenings. We wanted to make a difference with our courses. I first did a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and then a master’s degree in environmental engineering. After that, I was able to gain professional experience as a civil engineer.
Julian Entner: Yes, we hit it off straight away and wanted to do something specifically for the environment. I have a dual bachelor’s degree in mechatronics and meanwhile, as a project manager for market-leading, modular storage and logistics systems, I have experience in project management and plant construction. Maxi and I want to do something for the environment in Würzburg and the surrounding area. We enjoy going out to the construction site and tackling things ourselves.
So you assemble the balcony power plants yourself?
Braun: It is a coordinated modular system. One set consists of a photovoltaic module with 300 watts and an inverter and the other set consists of two modules with a total of 600 watts and an inverter. In addition, there are the appropriate rails and fasteners for roofs, flat roofs or balcony railings. Customers can order the sets from us and pick them up for self-assembly or arrange an assembly appointment.
Entner: We started small almost two years ago. At first, a carport was enough for us, then a garage and ancillary rooms were added. Finally, my girlfriend’s parents converted their barn in Hausen and the former stable into our warehouse. We now have a few industrial trucks and a rack warehouse and ship the balcony power plants on pallets throughout Germany. With Tom, Emilia, Laura and Kathy we already have a great team with whom we want to continue to grow.
That sounds like a lot of work and success.
Entner: Yes, we often have an 80-hour week and without the help of family and friends it would not be possible. The trucks that come to us are getting bigger and bigger, and when it’s pick-up day, sometimes 25 people come to the yard. We started with the idea that owners and tenants of apartments in the city can contribute to the energy transition, that you can save CO2 and energy even on a small scale. In the meantime, entire households or apartment block operators order from us.
Braun: There is physical work, office work and maintaining social media behind it, that’s true. I also give lectures myself, for example in the environmental station and the Ökohaus of the city of Würzburg or at the Green Party. We became known through Radio Gong and TV Mainfranken. We want to draw attention to the funding opportunities and take away the fear of bureaucracy from customers.
What is special about Main-PluginSolar?
Braun: Our customers appreciate the uncomplicated ordering via our website. If you send us photos, we will make you an individual offer with or without assembly. Our entire modular system and thus also the modules use products made in Germany. We often get compliments for that. We are happy that our business idea is so well received and look forward to a future with more renewable energy solutions for everyone.
Entner: It is our aim to sell proper, high-quality and sustainable systems and to provide good customer service. Our design modules have a guarantee of up to 25 years. You only need a socket and if you move, you can take the PV system with you at any time. With optimal orientation and a kWh price to be paid of 40 cents, this results in annual savings of around 120 euros per module. Currently even more. The purchase of a mini PV system pays for itself in four to six years. We help buyers and the environment. Our work is our passion.
