This week, Women in Solar+ Europe gives the voice to Sara Kapeller, CEO of the German Twistor GmbH. She says building impactful careers in the sustainable energy landscape requires courage, curiosity and inclusivity, turning adversity into growth and empowering more women to lead tech innovation and shape the future.
The solar, energy storage, EV charging and grid infrastructure sectors are facing increasingly complex challenges, and solving them requires more than just technical expertise. It requires different perspectives.
From my experience, gender diversity and inclusivity are not just values; they are drivers of innovation and competitiveness. When teams bring together different points of view, they approach problems more holistically. This leads to better decision-making, more creative solutions and ultimately more user-centric technologies.
In an industry that serves a broad and evolving customer base, diversity helps us better understand real needs. It also strengthens adaptability, which is essential in a fast-growing global market. Just as importantly, inclusive environments make our sector more attractive, helping us attract and retain the talent we need to drive the energy transition forward.
Building something from the ground up
A decisive milestone in my career was the founding of Twistor GmbH. As an inventor and founder, building and bringing a company to market from the ground up has been both challenging and transformative. It required me to take responsibility in ways I had not experienced before and navigate complex, rapidly changing environments.
What made this journey possible was not just technical expertise, but a combination of a strong network, a dedicated team and an ongoing willingness to learn and evolve. Perseverance, courage and a clear vision became essential tools.
Setbacks were inevitable, but I learned to look at them differently. Instead of barriers, they became opportunities to refine ideas, strengthen resilience and move forward with greater clarity. This experience not only shaped my professional path, but also the way I approach leadership and innovation today.
The power of support and inclusive environments
Breaking barriers is rarely a solo effort. One of the most defining influences on my journey was the support I received from my father. Early on, he encouraged me to follow my own path and stand up for myself with confidence, even in highly technical environments where women are still underrepresented.
That trust made the difference. It gave me the confidence to make decisions, take on challenges and move forward with conviction. In addition to personal support, I have also experienced the impact of inclusive workplaces. Mutual respect, openness and the active appreciation of different perspectives create environments where people can truly contribute and grow. These experiences have strengthened my belief that inclusion is not only beneficial, but essential for both individual development and collective success.
Shaping the future with courage and curiosity
For young women entering the sustainable energy sector today, my message is simple: stay curious and don’t be limited by stereotypes, by existing role models or by doubt.
This industry offers a unique opportunity to actively shape the future. It is a space where innovation is constant and where new ideas are not only welcome, but necessary.
Build a strong network, ask questions and seize opportunities even if you don’t feel 100% ready yet. Growth doesn’t come from waiting for the perfect moment; it comes from moving forward despite uncertainty.
Technical knowledge and entrepreneurial skills can be developed over time. What’s more important is the mindset: believing in yourself, staying persistent, and seeing setbacks as part of the journey rather than failures.
I also strongly believe that women are just as capable of driving technical innovation, developing patents and developing breakthrough solutions. We need more women willing to bring their ideas to life and make their presence felt in forward-looking tech fields.
From my own journey with Twistor, I know the path is not always easy. But it is precisely in that complexity that opportunities arise to create something new, challenge existing boundaries and make a meaningful impact.
So my advice is: trust yourself, think big and stay open. The energy transition needs different perspectives, bold ideas and committed individuals. Follow your own path and be proud of what you build along the way.
Sara Kapeller is the inventor and founder of Twistor GmbH. Driven by her passion for technology and innovation, she developed a patented snow management system for solar installations that continuously and effectively removes snow from PV modules, significantly improving the efficiency of photovoltaic systems. Her entrepreneurial journey is marked by initiative, courage and the determination to play an active role in shaping sustainable technologies. As founder, she is responsible for the development and refinement of her innovations and pursues a clear vision for a more sustainable energy future. It is particularly important to her to inspire women to pursue a career in technology and demonstrate that they are just as capable of developing patents and driving innovation.
Interested in participating Sara Kapeller and other female market leaders and experts at Women in Solar+ Europe? More information: www.wiseu.network
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