Solar power has long been recognised as one of the most promising sources of clean energy. As global demand for electricity rises and climate targets grow more urgent, harnessing the sun’s energy continues to play a vital role in transforming how we produce and consume power. Across Europe and beyond, innovation in solar energy is progressing rapidly, not only in terms of capacity but also in design, deployment and application.
The solar panels of the past were often bulky and limited to rooftops or large solar farms. Today, solar technologies have evolved to serve a much wider range of purposes. They are now lighter, thinner and more adaptable, making it possible to integrate them into everything from aircraft and logistics systems to agricultural land and everyday devices. This shift is expanding the reach of solar energy into new environments and industries.
On that note, we have curated a list of 10 innovative European startups founded from 2020 until today that are pushing the boundaries of what solar power can do. From floating photovoltaics and solar-powered refrigeration trucks to stratospheric aircraft and custom-printed solar cells, these companies are rethinking solar for a new generation of energy challenges. Let’s dive right into it!
AALTO HAPS is a company based in Hampshire, UK, that developed Zephyr, a solar-powered, fixed-wing High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) designed for long-duration flight in the stratosphere. Zephyr can stay airborne for weeks or months at a time, operating between satellite and aircraft altitudes. It provides two main services: Earth observation with high-resolution sensors, and mobile connectivity through low-latency, direct-to-device 4G/5G transmission. Its modular payload system also allows for customised government and commercial missions.
The aircraft is powered by solar cells and secondary batteries that enable continuous day and night operation. For observation, it integrates Airbus Defence and Space systems capable of capturing images with up to 18cm resolution across large areas. For connectivity, Zephyr acts as an airborne cell tower, covering up to 7,500 km² with sub-10ms latency. Founded in 2022, they have raised €85.3 million to date.
Bees & Bears is a Berlin-based fintech company that provides embedded financing solutions for green home technologies such as solar panels, battery storage systems, and heat pumps. Its platform enables installers to offer flexible, fast, and fully digital instalment payment plans to residential customers. Credit checks are completed in seconds, and financing of up to €70,000 is available without requiring a mortgage. Payments to installers are made in stages as projects progress.
The service helps installation companies increase sales, streamline payment processes, and reach new customer groups without additional effort or fees. End customers can choose repayment terms of 1 to 25 years, with monthly rates starting at €99. Bees & Bears works with over 150 manufacturers and hundreds of installers across Germany. Founded in 2023, the company has raised €500 million to scale its financing infrastructure.
Emica Solar is a company based in Spain that designs and develops floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems. With a lot of experience in industrial pumping, the company applies its engineering capabilities to solar installations placed on water reservoirs, ponds, and irrigation rafts. Its proprietary YFS platform is built for efficiency, modularity, and minimal environmental impact. Emica Solar targets agricultural, industrial, and energy-intensive sectors that already manage water surfaces.
The company’s systems aim to reduce land use, save CO₂ emissions, and help manage water quality by limiting algae growth and evaporation. Their technology also integrates technical research on environmental impact and biodiversity. Projects are tailored to each site’s conditions and use case, ensuring efficient power generation. Founded in 2021, Emica Solar has raised €500K to date.
GraphEnergyTech is a company based in Lausanne that develops patented graphene-based electrodes to replace silver in solar cells. Its technology reduces material costs and environmental impact while maintaining or improving power conversion efficiency and long-term reliability. The company is particularly focused on enabling scalable manufacturing of perovskite solar cells, which currently rely on expensive or unstable metals like gold. GraphEnergyTech’s solution helps address growing concerns over silver supply and cost in the solar industry.
Their approach centres on producing highly conductive, screen-printable graphene inks that can be integrated into both existing and next-generation solar technologies. The team collaborates with international partners, including Taiwan’s ITRI and the University of Cambridge, to scale production and commercial adoption. Their work supports the long-term sustainability of solar energy by replacing scarce materials with more abundant alternatives. Founded in 2022, GraphEnergyTech has raised €929K to date.
Heliup is a company based in Le Bourget-du-Lac, France, that develops and manufactures lightweight solar panels for large industrial, commercial, and logistics buildings. Its patented Stykon® panels are 60% lighter than conventional systems, making them suitable for rooftops with low load-bearing capacity, without compromising performance or durability. The technology is based on crystalline silicon cells and developed in partnership with CEA (French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission). Heliup provides a certified, insurable solution adapted to strict building and construction standards.
The panels are designed for easy installation, resistance to harsh weather, and long operational life, with a 12-year product warranty and a 25-year performance guarantee. By targeting underused roof surfaces, Heliup enables property owners to meet new regulatory requirements (like France’s APER Law) while generating clean energy and reducing costs. The company operates a 100 MWp production facility in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and works closely with insurers, project developers, and construction firms. Founded in 2022, Heliup has raised €10 million to date.
Metris Energy is a company based in London that provides an all-in-one software platform to manage commercial solar operations. Designed for property owners, solar funds, and O&M teams, the platform centralises real-time monitoring, billing, fault detection, and customer engagement. Its goal is to maximise the profitability of solar energy systems by streamlining operations, reducing downtime, and improving reporting. Metris integrates with major hardware and data providers, including Huawei, SMA, and Solis.
The platform enables 1-click digital billing, automated performance reports, and proactive maintenance tools that help teams respond quickly to issues. It also offers a white-labelled portal for end customers, improving transparency and satisfaction. With automation at its core, Metris helps solar professionals scale operations without increasing overhead. Founded in 2023, the company has raised €1.8 million to date.
Perovskia is a company based in Aubonne, Switzerland, that designs and manufactures custom-printed perovskite solar cells for both indoor and outdoor use. Their lightweight, thin-film solar cells are designed to power or extend the battery life of low-energy devices such as IoT sensors, wearables, and smart tags. The technology enables self-powered electronics by harvesting ambient light, removing the need for frequent recharging or disposable batteries. Perovskia’s solutions are already being used by clients in sectors like industrial electronics and automotive manufacturing.
The company’s production facility is capable of printing up to one million solar cells annually, with ongoing automation efforts to scale further. Their manufacturing process uses abundant materials with a low carbon footprint and is designed to support recyclability, aligning with circular economy principles. Perovskia benefits from close ties to Switzerland’s top research institutions, including EPFL and Empa. Founded in 2020, the company has raised €2.4 million to date.
Sunsave is a London-based company offering the UK’s first subscription-based solar and battery system. Through its flagship service, Sunsave Plus, homeowners can access a full solar setup with no upfront cost and pay through fixed monthly instalments starting at £69. The system includes premium hardware, 24/7 remote monitoring, and insurance-backed warranties. Customers can own their system from day one and benefit from lower energy bills while selling excess power back to the grid.
Sunsave handles everything from design and financing to installation and maintenance, making solar adoption simple and affordable. Their service includes a 20-year guarantee and partnerships with Octopus Energy and government programmes like the Green Home Finance Accelerator. The company targets mainstream adoption by removing traditional cost barriers to solar. Founded in 2021, Sunsave has raised €140 million to date.
Sunswap is a company based in Surrey that develops zero-emission transport refrigeration units powered by batteries and solar energy. Its flagship product, Endurance, is the first purpose-built electric and solar refrigeration unit designed to match or outperform diesel alternatives. The system delivers long runtimes – from 24 hours frozen to up to 2 months chilled – while offering up to 35% savings on total cost of ownership. Sunswap’s mission is to help logistics companies eliminate tailpipe emissions and reduce operational costs without compromising performance.
The company also offers Sunswap Shield, an aftermarket diagnostics and support platform designed to maximise uptime and monitor equipment health in real time. The technology supports both chilled and frozen transport needs across large fleets. Founded in 2020, Sunswap has raised €28.7 million to date.
feld.energy is a Munich-based startup developing agri-photovoltaic systems that enable farmers to produce solar energy while continuing agricultural use. They install solar modules on arable land using vertical or sun-tracking structures that preserve yields and improve soil protection. The systems help reduce erosion, withstand storms, and generate energy during peak demand hours. Farmers can earn up to €3,000 per hectare each year by hosting the installations.
The company manages the full process from site analysis and permitting to construction and operation. They work with landowners, municipalities and citizen investors to ensure regulatory compliance and local energy benefits. This model supports regional agriculture, decentralised power generation and biodiversity. Founded in 2024, they have raised €1.7 million.
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