Ani Backa Joins Sonnen

• Sonnen has appointed Ani Backa as US Director of Regulatory Strategy and Utility Initiatives
• She will work directly with regulatory bodies and utilities across the US and also strike strategic alliances with energy and utility providers in Europe, Australia and South America
• Backa worked in law firms and with utility Xcel Energy as attorney and government affairs manager

German residential energy storage battery maker Sonnen has appointed Ani Backa as its US Director of Regulatory Strategy and Utility Initiatives. Before joining Sonnen, she worked 1 year for law firm Stoel Rives & for 4 years as attorney and government affairs manager for US utility Xcel Energy.

At Sonnen, Backa will work directly with regulatory bodies and utilities across the US to promote implementation and expansion of the SonnenCommunity model. Her job will also include fostering strategic partnerships with developers and stakeholders for the deployment of residential battery storage and SonnenCommunity projects across the US and other key regions globally.

In her new role, Backa will also work beyond US borders, aiming to build strategic alliances with energy and utility providers in Europe, Australia and South America.

A market leader in Germany, Sonnen is quickly expanding internationally. In February 2018, Sonnen announced plans to set up battery storage system factory in Australia with annual production capacity of 10,000 solar batteries (see Sonnen To Make Solar Batteries In Australia).

 "With an impressive career as a lawyer in the energy field and as a significant player in the utility space at Xcel Energy, Ani will be a key asset in promoting energy storage regulation," said Senior Vice President and Leader of the company's US presence, Blake Richetta. Adding, "This will support the success of sonnen's partnerships in implementing VPP technology for SonnenCommunity projects, such as the Mandalay Homes Jasper Community."