Kaco

About Us

Learn where we come from and what we stand for. 

We turn passion into power

KACO new energy, as a medium-sized company with dedication and a passion for research, stands for high quality engineering skills in the field of independent and decentralised energy supply. Our inverters are designed to support the use of renewable energies as well as efficient energy management throughout the world. We implement projects with quality and commitment, and develop our “made in Germany” products continuously.

 

Research and development as well as manufacturing take place at our German locations in Neckarsulm and Kassel. With 280 employees, KACO new energy is one of the most important producers of inverters for photovoltaic (PV) plants and energy storage systems. Since the foundation of the company we have shipped more than 800,000 inverters all over the world.

We are committed to digitalisation in the power supply industry, integrating solar PV into various sectors and are thus actively shaping the energy world of tomorrow in different countries. Since the end of April 2019, KACO new energy has been a subsidiary of Siemens AG.

Within Siemens AG, KACO new energy is the specialist for power electronics for decentralised energy supply. As part of the Operating Company Smart Infrastructure, we benefit in particular from the exchange on topics such as building technology, electromobility and energy storage.

 

Over 20 years of inverter history.

History

From the first transformerless inverter to the acquisition by Siemens
and further on the road to decarbonization. 

Champions in the name of progress

Every journey begins with a first step. KACO takes this step back in 1914 when the company is founded in Heilbronn by Gustav Bach, Albert Hirth and Gustav Klein. The company focuses on the production of engine seals, shaft seal rings and electro-mechanical choppers, the precursors of today's inverters. In the 1950s, KACO is the world's largest manufacturer of electromechanical choppers and produces the first thyristor inverter.

In the 1990s, KACO expands its developments in the photovoltaics field. This promising sector creates so much enthusiasm and innovative spirit that in 1998 a separate company is formed with Dipl.-Ing. Ralf Hofmann at the helm: KACO Gerätetechnik GmbH. By the following year the company has already launched onto the market the world's first transformerless solar PV inverter.

In the 2000s, the company relocates its headquarters to Neckarsulm, changes its name to KACO new energy GmbH and founds further subsidiaries in Europe as well as in North America, Asia and Africa. Today, the name KACO new energy is worldwide among the best known in the inverter industry. It is a Swabian success story!

 

Milestones - past to present

 

1914

Company founded in Heilbronn by Gustav Bach, Albert Hirth and Gustav Klein.

 

1939

In addition to engine seals and shaft seal rings, the product range is based around choppers, the precursors of today's solar PV inverters.

 

1950

KACO is the world's largest manufacturer of electromechanical choppers.

 

1953

KACO manufactures the first thyristor inverter.

 

1994

Initial developments in photovoltaics.

 

1998/99

After forming the spin-off company, KACO Gerätetechnik GmbH, the world's first transformerless photovoltaic string inverter is launched onto the market,
the PVI 2600.

 

2003-2005

Expansion: The company relocates its headquarters to Neckarsulm and opens a logistics centre in neighbouring Erlenbach as well as a research and development centre in Kassel. Formation of the first overseas subsidiary in San Francisco.

 

2006

The company is the first manufacturer in the sector to implement the CO2-neutral production of inverters.

 

2007

Introduction of the first transformerless, 3-phase string inverter in the 30-kW class, Powador 30000xi.

 

2009

Change of name: KACO Gerätetechnik GmbH becomes KACO new energy GmbH.

 

2010-2012

At the Neckarsulm site, two state-of-the-art, energy efficient plants are created.

 

2012

First product solutions for energy storage systems.

 

2014

Double anniversary: 100 years of KACO and 15 years of KACO new energy.

 

2017

The inverter power sold exceeds 10 gigawatts, equivalent to the output of 7 medium-sized nuclear power plants.

 

2018

Acquisition of Energy Depot, a German energy storage provider. blueplanet 125 TL3: First string inverter with novel Silicon Carbide semiconductor technology for 1500 volt PV modules.

 

2019

Siemens AG Germany acquires 100% of the shares of KACO new energy GmbH effective 30th of April 2019. Market launch of the blueplanet hybrid 10.0 TL3 for solar+storage systems.

 

2020

Broadening the range of inverters for C&I energy storage and PV applications: battery inverter blueplanet gridsave 92.0 TL3-S, solar PV inverters blueplanet 60.0 TL3 and blueplanet 105 TL3.

 

2021

Introduction of completely new 1-phase inverters for residential applications under the name blueplanet NX1 M2.

 

 

Products

• String Inverters
• Hybrid and Battery Inverters
• Reactive power compensation unit
• PV Monitoring
• PV Accessories
• Service portfolio
• Central Inverters
• Distributors