We recently had the opportunity to interview Jan Reinke, CEO at Reinke Photovoltaik GmbH. With more than two decades of experience driving sustainability and innovation in solar energy, Jan has established himself as a thought leader in this field. Jan has been playing a crucial role in Reinke Photovoltaik GmbH’s success, by empowering the business towards sustainability. With a full-service approach, Reinke Photovoltaik continuously adapts its services to the needs and capabilities of clients offering energy storage, charging stations, direct energy marketing, financing, insurance, and ongoing operational management. In this insightful session, Jan shares the journey in this field, and impactful projects, and offers suggestions for aspiring professionals.
Spark Behind The Journey
We started the interview by asking, “What inspired you to found your company, and what vision drives it today?”
Jan Reinke shared, “With over 20 years of experience in the renewable energy sector, I recognized early on the development, potential, and necessity of these technologies. The foundation of Reinke Photovoltaik GmbH was driven by the desire to offer companies holistic and customized solutions in the field of renewable energy. Our vision is to help businesses meet their energy needs independently and sustainably, reduce costs, and make an active contribution to climate protection. Today, solar power is the most cost-effective form of energy generation.”
Impact Of Tech-Driven Changes
To learn more about the adaptability to technology at Jan Reinke’s company, we posed the question, “How do you use technology to drive innovation and efficiency in your company?”
“We rely on state-of-the-art technologies to provide our clients with efficient and reliable solutions. Our photovoltaic systems are made with high-quality materials and tailored to the specific needs of each company. By integrating energy storage systems, we enable energy use even at night and increase independence from utility providers. We also offer lightweight and flexible PV modules that are ideal for roofs with low load capacity.
The implementation of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles and photovoltaic carport systems reflects our commitment to innovative, forward-looking solutions and demonstrates the flexibility and variety of our services. Despite the individuality of our products, we are currently able to realize fast planning and implementation nationwide in Germany. Process optimization, digitalization, and the automation of craftsmanship play a key role in this.” He explained.
Empowering The Team
We asked Jan to share his take on fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth within his team.
Jan Reinke reflected, “Our technologies are constantly evolving, which is why we place great importance on the continuous development of both our products and our employees’ expertise. We support each team member through clear structures, career opportunities, and recurring processes that allow them to focus fully on their tasks. Our comprehensive digital onboarding for new employees, along with regular training sessions, workshops, and exchanges with leading technology partners, help support this process. An open company and error culture, where ideas and suggestions for improvement are welcome, further promotes personal and professional growth for each individual.”
Staying Ahead Of The Curve
Amidst the fast-paced business environment, reflecting adaptability is crucial. So, we asked, “What strategies help you stay competitive in a rapidly changing market?”
Jan Reinke shared, “Our customers expect full-service solutions, from the first innovative idea to the turnkey handover. Good needs analysis, consulting, and trust are especially important. By continuously observing market trends and quickly adapting our services, we remain competitive. Additionally, we invest in expanding our digitalization and optimizing processes to be faster and more cost-effective than the competition.”
Career-Defining Projects
We were eager to learn about the impactful projects undertaken by Jan, so inquired, “Can you highlight a project or initiative that had a significant impact on your company?”
“We’ve completed many outstanding and impressive projects – including numerous large-scale ground-mounted systems completed in very short timeframes. A particularly challenging one, however, was a comparatively small project: installing a 400kWp photovoltaic system on the roof of a new university in Hamburg, including a 100kWh storage system. With around 1,000 PV modules spread over several rooftops, the school is almost completely self-sufficient with solar power.
Even in the event of a power outage, the school could continue its classes. In this case, beyond efficiency and speed, detailed planning and dealing with bureaucracy – including coordination with public authorities, grid operators, and occupational safety regulations – were essential. This project highlights our ability to implement large and complex projects efficiently and demonstrates our commitment to providing secure energy solutions in any situation.” He responded.
A Customer-Centric Approach
We further asked, “How do you ensure your company remains agile and adapts to changes in the industry?”
Jan Reinke explained, “We talk to our customers! Many factors play a role in our industry – energy prices, politics, the economic situation of companies, and especially the needs of our clients. With our full-service approach, we continuously adapt our services to the needs and capabilities of our clients. Starting with planning and implementation, we now also offer energy storage, charging stations, direct energy marketing, financing, insurance, and ongoing operational management. Thanks to our extensive partner network and focus on research and development, we can quickly respond to changes, stay ahead of the curve, and offer innovative solutions.”
Visions For The Company
We asked Jan to share his plans for the company that he aspires to fulfill in the upcoming years.
“In the short term, we aim to expand our market presence in Germany and continuously broaden our range of services. In the long term, we want to establish ourselves as a leading provider of commercial energy solutions in Europe. We plan to achieve this through investments in innovative internal infrastructure, maintaining a flexible portfolio, and fostering strong customer relationships.” He responded.
Insights For Aspiring Professionals
Addressing the beginners in his field, we asked him to share his wisdom with aspiring entrepreneurs who are looking forward to making an impact.
“Stay with it! You grow with your challenges, and your company grows with you. Dive deep into your product and truly understand your customers. Focus on quality and sustainability. Create simple processes, but remain flexible and open to change. Invest in your team and cultivate a culture of continuous improvement. Above all: believe in yourself and your vision. Don’t let anything or anyone steer you off course. Stay with it!” Jan replied.
Follow Jan Reinke on LinkedIn.
Find REINKE Photovoltaik GmbH on LinkedIn and visit their website http://www.reinke-photovoltaik.de/
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