Photovoltaic experts Tekloth Solar rely on KOSTAL and the ENECTOR

Which photovoltaic systems do you specialise in?

Thomas Schmeink: We plan and implement 90 percent of our systems for single-family homes. In our region, we have few competitors in the single-family home segment. We are aware that many companies avoid this segment because the administrative costs are greater than those of systems with a higher output. However, we have optimised our processes, for example the registration procedure and system documentation. We also have qualified employees with good training and plenty of experience. They work independently, develop their own solutions on the construction site and make their own decisions, so that there are practically no queries and decisions can be made promptly and the work carried out efficiently. In our other company, the original parent company Tekloth GmbH, we primarily serve major customers. One example of a project is the planning and installation of modern remote control technology for 160 residential units.

Why does Tekloth GmbH use KOSTAL components?

Thomas Schmeink: We're always keeping an eye on the market, but for years we've only been installing inverters from European manufacturers. For some time, we still had a local manufacturer from Bocholt in our offering, but it has now ceased production. KOSTAL is one of three manufacturers in our portfolio. We don't have any Asian inverter manufacturers in our range. I come from a service background, and it's important to me to be able to communicate efficiently and knowledgeably with the manufacturer. We also favour integrated product families because the communication between the components is then better. At KOSTAL, these are inverters, KOSTAL Smart Energy Meters, wallboxes and, thanks to compatibility with products from KOSTAL's partners, electricity storage units.

What we also like about KOSTAL is that the devices are reliable, that there is a free portal and that KOSTAL still installs displays in its inverters. These have now disappeared from products made by other manufacturers. However, I can get information much more easily, spontaneously and quickly on a display than with an app. Our customers – generally single-family homeowners over 40 years old who are not yet "digital natives" – agree. With an inverter with a display, I can quickly look at it in passing and click through the menu. I don't need a smartphone, tablet or PC. I don't have to open an app or log in anywhere. I like that – and so do our customers.

With the next generation of PLENTICOREs, an even wider input voltage range and a backup power supply will also be possible. These are two important features that KOSTAL takes into account. 
For us, the option of automatic remote updates is also a big plus point. Thanks to the AutoUpdate feature we no longer have to travel to the customer in person, which is very convenient. The end customer also benefits from a product that is always kept up to date with free new features and software optimisations.