focus solar GmbH, based in Oldenburg, Germany, offers independent consultancy in solar energy. Our experience in solar resource assessment supports the planning of solar energy projects from residential solar, to large-scale photovoltaic (PV), and concentrating solar power (CSP). Founded in 2008 in the context of research activities originally conducted at the University of Oldenburg, the company blends scientific and engineering expertise delivering specialist services of outstanding quality. Services include energy yield and optimization analyses, solar map GIS layers and satellite-derived solar irradiation data. Geographically, the service area covers all major solar markets in Europe, North America, Africa, and the Middle East, and is continuously expanded.

Our core expertise lies in the field of atmospheric physics. Methods from climate science are employed for the temporal and spatial characterization of solar radiation. This includes the use of satellite-based observation of clouds and aerosols, as well as numerical models of radiation transport through the atmosphere. Successful solar engineering requires a technology-specific approach to solar resource assessment - considering different sensitivities to atmospheric constituents - and insight into what is important for each type of solar technology. Atmospheric processes are complex and elusive by nature, yet, these challenges can be answered by scientific analysis creating confidence in the command of solar technology.

focus solar was supported by a startup grant from the German ministry of economics and technology through the Exist program.

Sibylle Petrak, PhD  |  Founder und CEO

Sibylle Petrak founded focus solar in 2008. After a career in particle physics Sibylle discovered her interest for solar energy while living in California and has focused on renewable energy ever since. Sibylle graduated summa cum laude with a PhD in physics from Humboldt University Berlin, Germany. In 1998, she became postdoc at the Stanford Linear Accelerator SLAC, a research lab in Menlo Park, California. Sibylle returned to Germany in 2003 and joined the renewable energy department at the University of Oldenburg. She pursued new studies in energy meteorology and enjoyed lecturing the MSc courses in renewable energy with classes in photovoltaics and thermodynamics for RE engineers.

Hilmar Bunjes  |  CTO

Hilmar Bunjes graduated in 2007 from University of Oldenburg, earning a MSc in computer science. From early on he pursued entrepreneurial interests and directed several IT projects already before and during his time in university. He completed a six months internship in New York City, where he worked as programmer with Content Management Systems. Hilmar is a member of BizSpark, the Microsoft program for startups. At focus solar, he is in charge of website programming and business related IT. A special highlight are the Microsoft Bing Maps, which Hilmar developed into a solar siting tool for the focussolar.de website.

We're based in Oldenburg in northwest Germany, a town with a long history in renewable energy higher education and research.

Master Programs at Oldenburg University:
Postgraduate Programme Renewable Energy  ›››   
European Master in Renewable Energy  ›››

Research:
Energy Meteorology at Oldenburg University  ›››
Energy Research Institute Next Energy  ›››

Business Network:
Energy Cluster Oldenburg  ›››

Large-scale photovoltaic power plants: annual and cumulative installed power output capacity key statistical indicators: annual review 2008, Denis Lenardic, with contributions from Sibylle Petrak, Ulrich Dewald, ISBN  978-961-245-739-6, 107 p., CD-ROM.