Merlin Solar’s Twist: Can Twisty Panels Conquer the Rooftop Market?
The sun is shining, solar panels are everywhere, and yet, a Silicon Valley startupbelieves there’s still room for innovation in the solar energy market. Merlin Solar, founded by Venkatesan Murali, is betting on a unique twist: literally.The company is developing solar panels that can be curved, offering a potential solution to one of the biggest challenges facing the industry: rooftop installation.
Murali,a veteran of the solar industry, witnessed firsthand the rise and fall of Solyndra, a company that sought to revolutionize solar technology with a new design. While Solyndra’s approach ultimately failed, Murali learned a valuable lesson: Don’t scare the heck out of people with something new, he told TechCrunch. No new molecules, no new physics.
Merlin Solar’s approach is decidedly less radical. Instead of reinventing the wheel, the company isfocusing on adapting existing technology to better fit the needs of homeowners. Their twisty panels, made from flexible materials, can conform to the contours of a roof, eliminating the need for complex and expensive framing systems.
This, Murali believes, could be a game-changer. Traditional solar panels often require significant structural modificationsto rooftops, making installations costly and time-consuming. Merlin Solar’s panels, on the other hand, can be installed with minimal disruption, potentially making solar energy more accessible to a wider range of homeowners.
The company is currently in the early stages of development, but has already secured funding from prominent investors, includingthe venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins. Murali is confident that their technology will be ready for mass production within the next few years.
If successful, Merlin Solar’s twisty panels could have a significant impact on the solar industry. They could make solar energy more affordable and accessible, contributing to a faster transition to renewableenergy sources. However, the company faces stiff competition from established players in the solar market. It remains to be seen whether Merlin Solar’s innovative approach can carve out a significant market share.
References:
- Merlin Solar Website
- TechCrunch Article: Merlin Solar bets twisty panels will help it land on rooftops everywhere
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