Senec CEO: “We are back in the market”

In March, Herbert Schein assumed the role of CEO at German battery manufacturer Senec, at a time when the company was navigating a difficult period. Following several fires involving residential photovoltaic storage systems, Senec had launched a comprehensive replacement program in the summer of 2024. Completing this program became Schein’s top priority, he told pv magazine.

In his first eight months as CEO, Schein has nearly achieved this goal. “We have now replaced nearly 100,000 battery storage systems. The replacement is over 95% complete,” he says. The remaining units, including some challenging special cases, are now a high priority. Schein acknowledges that this effort has been a “major undertaking” that would likely not have been possible without the support of Senec’s financially strong parent company, EnBW.

Schein notes that the replacement program has positively impacted the company’s reputation. Reviews on Google and Senec’s online portals show renewed customer confidence. “We’re receiving many positive comments because Senec is taking responsibility,” he says, expressing gratitude to both customers and specialist partners who supported the process. For any delayed payments to installers, Schein recommends checking the SENEC.Cockpit to verify project status, with missing documents or feedback sometimes causing delays. Affected partners are also welcome to contact Senec directly.

Beyond system replacements, Schein has focused on making Senec more efficient and forward-looking. “We have streamlined the organization and intensified collaboration with our specialist partners, while accelerating digitalization,” he explains.

Product lineup

Senec has also advanced its product lineup. Following the launch of the P4 storage system in late 2024, the company introduced the E4 in September – a wall-mountable system designed for ease of installation and commissioning. Schein highlights the high system availability of the new units, exceeding 99% in the first months post-launch, a benchmark in the segment.

Senec also offers its Power.Pilot energy management system, forming the core of the SENEC.360 ecosystem. “End customers want lower electricity costs and minimized energy expenses. Photovoltaic systems and storage alone aren’t enough,” Schein says. “It’s about intelligently networking all components to create a 360-degree energy ecosystem. Our solutions also reduce complexity for our specialist partners, who are essential to our business model.”

Schein emphasizes Senec’s competitive edge as a German-based company, with data security “made in Germany.” “Our new systems meet the highest security standards. All data is processed exclusively by Senec, with servers located in Germany and some within the Schengen Area,” he says.

Looking ahead, Senec is developing a new product platform, which will expand over the coming months. “You’ll be hearing more from Senec next year. We’re back in the market,” Schein says. His goal is to restore Senec to a strong market position. After a relatively stagnant year for the German storage market, growth is expected to come from abroad, particularly Italy, where attractive subsidies continue to stimulate demand. Expansion into other neighboring countries is also on the table.

Schein brings extensive experience to Senec, having served as CEO of Varta AG from 2016 to 2022. “I learned the battery business from the ground up, building units at all levels of the value chain,” he says. When asked why he joined Senec during a challenging period, he explains: “What convinced me about Senec was the extensive expertise of its employees. The energy storage ecosystem is crucial today, and Senec is best positioned to address it. I’m fully convinced of that.”

From pv magazine Germany