Moon Power: Save 80 percent on electricity costs”

Moon Power: Save 80 percent on electricity costs”

AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY:In your opinion, are the car dealerships and workshops in Austria already well prepared for the growing electromobility market or is there some catching up to do?

MARKUS TATZER: In a first wave of measures, car dealerships and workshops were already equipped with charging solutions to meet the requirements of electromobility. In a further wave of measures, photovoltaic systems, fast charging solutions and, in many places, energy storage systems are currently being installed. Of course there is a lot of catching up to do here – we are working hard on it. With environmentally friendly solar power, we ensure sustainable mobility and at the same time make a contribution to reducing electricity costs in our companies.

How strong is the current demand from car dealerships for charging solutions or photovoltaics and electricity storage?

With the success of e-mobility comes the demand for charging solutions. The demand for photovoltaic systems and efficient energy management is also increasing, particularly due to rising electricity prices. It is clearly noticeable that the automotive industry is intensively addressing the issue.

Do you also have products for small independent workshops in your range?

Yes, we have suitable charging solutions for every customer in our range - regardless of whether they are a large company or an SME. Of course, we also equip brands outside the Volkswagen Group with our charging solutions and photovoltaic systems from Moon Power.

Are these also in demand?

Electromobility affects all brands including dealers and workshops. As a result, we have inquiries and numerous successfully implemented projects, especially with corporate and fleet customers.

At what size company does a photovoltaic system with its own electricity storage become worthwhile?

The size of the company is a central parameter, but what is more important is whether the roof area is sufficiently large and statically suitable. In principle, photovoltaic systems are worthwhile for companies with a roof area of ​​50 m² or more. Most photovoltaic systems have a size of 50 to 200 kWp. This corresponds to a roof area of ​​250 to 1,000 m². The topic of electricity storage is always integrated into project evaluations.

What costs are to be expected when installing a system for autonomous energy supply and how long are these expected to be amortized?

An autonomous energy supply – completely detached from the power grid – is not technically possible because it cannot make economic sense. In principle, systems consisting of photovoltaic systems, charging solutions and storage are suitable for reducing electricity costs by up to 80%. The system costs (LCOE, electricity generation costs) are well below 10 cents/kWh. Applied to an electric vehicle, this corresponds to charging costs of 1 to 2 euros per 100 kilometers.

Are there regional differences or focal points in demand across Austria?

The demand for efficient energy solutions is very similar across Austria. The need to catch up with photovoltaic systems is high in every federal state. The difference between Austria and Germany is much clearer: our neighboring country is far ahead of us here.

How do you assess the future development of e-mobility in Austria?

The share of electric vehicles in new registrations was over 13 percent in the first half of the year. We notice that the demand for e-mobility remains high, especially among commercial customers. The momentum was only somewhat slowed down – analogous to the overall market – by the tense delivery situation. The trend towards e-mobility will continue to accelerate: We are convinced that the future of mobility will be heavily influenced by electricity, especially with regard to meeting climate goals.

Could new, low-cost vehicles from China, for example, accelerate distribution?

In our opinion, Austrian drivers are very concerned about quality. Brand loyalty is traditionally high. Of course, price plays an important role. But the network surrounding the car, such as the dealer and the workshop near the customer, also play a central role in the purchase decision.

How many employees does Moon Power currently employ?

In total we are 60 people in twelve European countries. The headquarters are in Salzburg in Mooncity. We are constantly looking for new employees, which is currently a big challenge.

What marketing measures such as showrooms or road shows are planned in the near future?

We have now opened seven Mooncities in our countries. We are also currently running the “Everyday Heroes Campaign” in German-speaking countries. We are also represented at events such as the “Wiener Elektrotage”. Direct contact with interested parties and customers is important to us.  

What goals has Moon Power set for itself for the coming year?

We will open up new markets and further expand our product portfolio and our locations in order to be able to support even more customers in the transformation into an electric future, so that we can achieve our major goal of “Zero Emission Mobility” as quickly as possible. 

• Automechaniker, HTL Betriebsmanagement, Studium der Unternehmensführung
• Seit 2013 in der Porsche Holding Salzburg in diversen internationalen Funktionen
• 2016-2021 Geschäftsführer Porsche Bulgarien, PIA Bulgarien und Porsche Immobilien Bulgarien
• Seit 2021 GF von Moon Power und Moon Power Deutschland