Tell us about yourself and your background.

Born to a Polish mother and Croatian father, my heritage instilled invaluable traits that are proving instrumental in forging powerful partnerships in Central & Eastern Europe within the renewable energy industry.

Embarking on my professional journey, I worked in the exciting role of an Investment Consultant at Siemens Energy in Berlin, Germany. This experience introduced me to the dynamic world of renewable energy. Operating alongside multicultural teams in a cross-functional capacity, I found myself in harmony with my background, fostering strategic business growth alongside our esteemed partner organizations. Moreover, touchpoints with European utilities and other key energy stakeholders provided invaluable insights along the way.

My experience in the renewable energy industry stems from experiences in investment and renewable energy consulting, commodity trading, and sales. Providing advisory services for four years as an Investment Consultant at Siemens AG in Berlin, and then as a Renewable Energy Consultant, focusing on international utility scale projects in Europe, allows me to leverage experiences from the past to the benefit of our 150+ international partners (we speak 20+ languages in our office, enabling us to provide personalized support in local languages to our customers) with a particular focus on the EMEA region for AlsoEnergy, a Stem, Inc. company.

Delving into the intricacies of both downstream and upstream energy markets during my tenure as a Trader in 2020 and 2021 allowed me to sharpen my understanding of the dynamic forces shaping the energy landscape but also provided me with valuable insights into the interplay of supply and demand, pricing dynamics, and market fluctuations. Today, I am utilizing these methodologies to manage risks and maximize profitability daily to strengthen our strategic alliances while driving our business development efforts in new targeted regions in accordance with our company’s ambitious growth targets.

What is your role at Stem?

As the Head of EMEA Sales at AlsoEnergy, I am responsible in leading a group of talented individuals out of our international office in Berlin to support our partners and increase visibility in front of new market participants in our key regions in Germany, France, UK, Eastern Europe & historically Japan and many others to complement the big scope of operations that Stem, Inc. is covering. Although our focus lies on large-scale utility solar projects we are increasingly providing solutions to C&I renewables’ portfolios while more and more battery projects become visible on our radar.

With over 25 GW of power in operation, Stem is proud to deliver the world’s most field-tested and proven solutions for the distributed energy marketplace. Our expertise lies in providing innovative and reliable solutions for distributed energy resources. With a focus on the PV segment in Central and Eastern Europe, my role involves identifying strategic opportunities, forging partnerships, and driving sales growth in the region. By leveraging our extensive experience and track record, we aim to empower our partners and customers with cutting-edge solutions that address their energy needs while contributing to a sustainable future.

What’s the most interesting thing you’ve worked on lately?

One exciting event that I am looking forward to is Intersolar Europe 2023. The PV Production Trend Topic is particularly interesting as it addresses the resurgence of PV production in Europe, which has become a hot topic within the PV industry. The aim is to explore questions related to the technical capabilities, know-how, raw material supply chains, profitability, subsidies, and investment security associated with European PV production. You can schedule time to meet with me through Stem’s Events page.

 Reducing dependencies and fostering innovation are vital aspects of this resurgence. Industry players must create a resilient, sustainable, and locally valuable European PV production industry. Despite the current dominance of China in producing PV intermediate products, such as polysilicon, ingots, wafers, cells, and modules, Europe possesses advantages like a well-established infrastructure, a large internal market, and strong product development capabilities thanks to its research community. To safeguard our industry, we must leverage these strengths while heeding the lessons learned from past missteps during the renewables boom of the 2010s, thereby averting any potential downward trajectory.

What recent industry trends have made a big impression on you?

Two key trends that stand out are cost decline and a focus on sustainability goals.

Solar Power’s Cost Competitiveness

Solar energy has witnessed a remarkable cost decline, making it increasingly competitive with conventional energy sources. The decreasing costs of solar panels, coupled with supportive policies and incentives, have accelerated the deployment of solar projects across EMEA. This trend has created a fertile ground for us to offer comprehensive solar solutions, leveraging our expertise and proven track record in the market.

Focus on Sustainability and Decarbonization

The emphasis on sustainability and decarbonization has become more prominent in the energy industry. Governments, businesses, and consumers increasingly prioritize clean energy solutions to mitigate climate change and reduce environmental impact. This trend has created a growing demand for our solar solutions, which enable our partners and customers to transition towards greener and more sustainable energy systems.

These industry trends have not only influenced our sales strategies but have also shaped our product development efforts. We have been actively adapting to the evolving needs of the EMEA solar market, ensuring that our solutions align with the latest trends and provide tangible value to our partners and customers. By staying at the forefront of these trends, we are well-positioned to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions that address the challenges and opportunities in the dynamic energy landscape.

Any advice for newer professionals interested in this space?

Sure! If you’re a newer professional interested in solar sales in the EMEA region, I have some valuable advice for you. Here are a few key insights to consider:

First things first, it’s essential to build a solid foundation of knowledge about the solar industry. Dive deep into understanding market trends, the latest technologies, policy landscape, and the key players in the EMEA region. Stay updated on the latest developments, innovations, and regulations to navigate the dynamic solar market effectively.

Networking is a game-changer in the solar industry. Attend industry events, conferences, and trade shows to connect with professionals, potential clients, and partners. Engage in discussions, join industry associations, and build relationships within the solar community. It’s through these connections that you’ll expand your network and create opportunities.

When approaching solar sales, keep a customer-centric mindset. Take the time to understand the energy needs and goals of potential clients in the EMEA region. Tailor your sales approach to address their specific challenges and demonstrate how solar solutions can meet their requirements. Whether it’s reducing energy costs, achieving sustainability goals, or ensuring energy independence, show them how solar can make a difference.

Staying up-to-date on incentives and regulations is crucial. Government incentives, policies, and regulatory frameworks have a significant impact on solar sales in EMEA. Stay informed about the available subsidies, feed-in tariffs, tax incentives, and any changes in regulations related to solar energy. This knowledge will help you guide customers through the financial aspects and assist them in making informed decisions.

Lastly, keep in mind that the solar industry is rapidly evolving. Embrace a mindset of continuous learning and adaptation. Stay open to new technologies, emerging market segments, and innovative business models. Seek opportunities for professional development, attend training programs, and stay connected with industry experts. By doing so, you’ll stay ahead of the curve and position yourself for success in solar sales within the EMEA region.

Check out Stem’s career opportunities here.

What about Stem would you want our partners and customers to know?

AlsoEnergy’s flagship solution, PowerTrack, is a cutting-edge platform that combines advanced technology with artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize energy usage, reduce costs, and enhance sustainability. With PowerTrack, our partners and customers gain real-time visibility and control over their energy consumption, enabling them to make informed decisions and maximize the value of their energy assets.

We also provide comprehensive customer support and services to ensure a smooth and seamless experience. From project design and installation to ongoing monitoring and maintenance, our dedicated team supports our partners and customers at every step of their journey.

In summary, we are a trusted provider of intelligent solutions, offering the innovative PowerTrack platform, advanced AI-driven energy management software (Athena®), a proven track record in successful project deployments, and a commitment to sustainability. We aim to empower our partners and customers to optimize energy usage, reduce costs, and contribute to a more sustainable future.