1Komma5 buys Australian company Natural solar

Ex-Tesla manager Philipp Schröder's climate start-up 1Komma5 is taking over an important Tesla partner on the Australian market.

The German start-up 1Komma5 is taking over the Australian market leader for the installation of solar systems and batteries, Natural Solar, for an undisclosed sum. This is reported by Businessinsider. In Australia, Natural Solar is an important partner of Elon Musk's e-car manufacturer Tesla and installs the cars' solar power storage systems. 1Komma5 founder Philipp Schröder previously worked as a manager under Musk.

His start-up installs and maintains solar systems, electricity storage systems, charging infrastructure and heat pumps. In order to expand, Schröder's start-up is taking over and bundling local trades businesses. The aim is for 1Komma5 to become a global provider. The Australian market plays an important role in this: Schröder plans to invest more than 65 million euros there over the next 18 months. Up to six further companies are to be acquired on the continent.

So far, the start-up has mainly operated in Germany and Sweden. Schröder founded 1Komma5 last summer and says it has since acquired 15 companies and employs more than 750 people at 25 locations. The start-up aims to generate sales of 600 million euros in 2023.