Why Did German Solar Installer EKD Collapse After 45,000 Installations?
Readers will learn why Energiekonzepte Deutschland filed for insolvency after installing more than 45,000 solar systems, what its owner's refusal to provide more money means, and how customers with unfinished projects are affected.
Energiekonzepte Deutschland (EKD) has filed for insolvency despite having installed more than 45,000 solar systems on German rooftops. The Leipzig-based company, which also sells storage systems and heat pumps, recently completed around 1,000 installations per month. Then the money ran out.
A Fast Rise and a Hard Landing
Mathias Hammer founded EKD in 2018 with two employees. The company grew quickly, and he gradually sold shares to investors. By the time trouble hit, it operated 15 locations nationwide, including one in Taucha near Leipzig, and employed roughly 340 to 400 people. Reports vary on the exact headcount.
EKD plans, sells, and installs complete energy systems. At the height of Germany's solar boom, that model worked well. When demand fell, it did not.
The Owner Decided to Stop Paying
According to BILD, EKD's owner, London investment firm Pemberton, took over in 2025. Pemberton had already cut 80 jobs and installed a new management team. Christian Arnold, who became CEO in August 2025, could not reverse the slide.
A spokesman for Pemberton told BILD that the company had taken many steps to rehabilitate the business. Despite those efforts, the continuing market downturn made it clear the business was no longer viable. To protect investor returns and capital, Pemberton decided not to provide more money.
EKD filed an insolvency application with the district court in Leipzig. The business continues to run during the preliminary proceedings. Tagesschau reported that wages and salaries are protected by insolvency payments, and management is working with the preliminary administrator to find a way forward.
What Customers Should Know
Customers left with unfinished installations face uncertainty. The insolvency administrator will decide whether and by whom a system is completed. EKD says its customer service remains the point of contact.
Lawyer Daniel Blazek, quoted by BILD, advises customers to check which company in the group actually signed their contract. That determines which proceeding and which administrator will handle a claim. He also warns against paying installments for work not yet done and against signing off on systems that are not fully completed.
Why an Installer's Insolvency Matters
EKD's collapse is not just one company's story. It shows what happens when a rapidly expanding installer meets a sudden drop in solar demand. The company's 45,000 installations and 15 branches made it a significant player in the sector. Its failure leaves customer projects in limbo, employees waiting on recovery plans, and the industry with a sharp reminder of how fast solar markets can shift.