Recognition for impressive innovation: Christian Wulff congratulates MaxSolar GmbH from Traunstein on making it into the TOP 100. The awards ceremony, held as part of the German SME Summit, will take place on Friday 26 June in Heidelberg for all SMEs that were awarded the TOP 100 seal at the start of the year. The former Federal President and Minister-President is acting as a mentor for the innovation competition, now in its 33rd year. In the scientific selection process, MaxSolar impressed in size category C (over 200 employees in Germany), particularly in the ‘innovation climate’ category. This is the fifth time the company has been named among the top innovators.
Traunstein, 02.07.2026
The TOP 100 company profile published to mark the award states:
MaxSolar GmbH develops, builds and operates photovoltaic and energy storage projects, covering the entire value chain in the field of renewable energy and regional heating and mobility concepts. In this way, the medium-sized company strengthens the resilience of the energy supply and the competitiveness of industrial and tech companies, as well as local authorities. Internal analyses by MaxSolar have shown that even the smallest deviations in quality regarding components or service processes can have a noticeable impact on large-scale projects.
For the management team, quality begins with the selection of suppliers and extends through the planning, construction and operation of energy plants. Test and service data are systematically fed back into project management. This ensures more stable processes, higher yields and greater planning certainty for the company and its partners. Training the service department also speeds up operations, as it means the company is not necessarily reliant on external service teams. “The aim is to identify risks at an earlier stage, create transparency and embed expertise within the company,” explains Managing Director Christoph Strasser.
Security of supply under scrutiny
In recent years, MaxSolar has evolved from a pure project developer into a partner for resilient energy infrastructure: the company realised that customers and local authorities were no longer simply asking for renewable electricity, but for security of supply, flexibility and predictability. Internally, this led to the question: why are generation, storage and consumption still considered separately at all? As a result, the medium-sized company now offers solutions in which these components are planned as an integrated system. Another pioneering project is the one in the Cham district, where Germany’s first grid-supporting battery storage facility is being built. This will enable surplus renewable energy to be stored and fed into the grid in a grid-compatible manner once any bottlenecks have been resolved.
Company premises as a practical example
One example of MaxSolar’s new approach is the combination of photovoltaics, battery storage, charging infrastructure and long-term electricity supply and operating contracts — not as individual technologies, but as an integrated system. This is clearly demonstrated at the new headquarters at Traunstein railway station: the company building offers charging points for electric cars, and the electricity is generated on-site. Staff travel to work by train and spontaneously gather in the open-plan ground floor for project meetings. Departments such as planning and engineering are located close to one another; distances have been reduced, and discussions between different disciplines take place more frequently and at an earlier stage in the project. “Visitors realise that the building is not just an office, but a living part of our work,” says Strasser. “This brings to life what we stand for: integrated, practical solutions for the energy transition.”
TOP 100: the competition
Since 1993, compamedia has been awarding the TOP 100 seal to medium-sized enterprises in recognition of their exceptional innovative strength and above-average success in innovation. Prof. Dr Nikolaus Franke has been the scientific director since 2002. Franke is the founder and director of the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Vienna University of Economics and Business. With 27 research awards and over 200 publications to his name, he is one of the world’s leading researchers in the field of innovation. The mentor for the TOP 100 is the former Federal President and Minister-President Christian Wulff. Project partners include the Fraunhofer Society for the Promotion of Applied Research and the German Association for Small and Medium-sized Businesses (BVMW). The magazine *manager magazin* is supporting the company comparison as a media partner, whilst the magazine *ZEIT für Unternehmer* is acting as a cooperation partner. Further information and registration at www.top100.de.
About MaxSolar GmbH:
As a comprehensive infrastructure developer and operator, MaxSolar, founded in 2009 and headquartered in Traunstein, covers the entire value chain of the new energy industry. With renewable energies, flexible storage solutions and regional heating and mobility concepts, MaxSolar strengthens the resilience of supply and competitiveness of industrial and technology companies as well as local authorities.
MaxSolar also offers power purchase agreements (PPAs) for a long-term and predictable supply of green electricity. With a project pipeline of 6.1 gigawatts and six locations in Germany, MaxSolar is active both regionally and nationally.
www.maxsolar.com
Press contact MaxSolar GmbH:
Anastasia Segovia Astorga
Head of Energy Policy, MaxSolar GmbH
Tel: +49 (0)151 18938015
E-Mail: anastasia.segovia(at)maxsolar.de
