In a world where solar panels have become a common sight—from residential rooftops to sprawling fields—many may assume there’s little room for innovation. However, Venkatesan Murali, the founder and CTO of Merlin Solar, is determined to challenge that notion. With nearly a decade of experience under his belt, Murali is redefining how we think about solar technology, focusing on flexibility and resilience.
Founded in 2016 in the aftermath of the Solyndra failure and amidst the rise of low-cost Chinese solar panels, Merlin Solar is not just another player in the saturated solar market. Murali learned valuable lessons from past industry challenges, aiming to innovate without overwhelming consumers with complex, unfamiliar technologies. “Don’t scare the heck out of people with something new,” he explained to TechCrunch. Instead of venturing into uncharted territory, Merlin harnesses the power of established monocrystalline silicon, known for its affordability yet often fragile nature.
Typically, solar panels made from monocrystalline silicon are encased in layers of glass and metal, making them heavy and limiting their installation options. Murali envisioned a different approach: creating flexible solar panels that can withstand the rigors of everyday use. The challenge lay in ensuring that the panels remained functional even under stress. “Everything crystalline will eventually crack,” he noted. To tackle this issue, Merlin developed a new method for connecting cells, increasing the number of interconnections while using a flexible design that allows for movement without compromising electrical efficiency.
The result? A groundbreaking solar panel that not only resists cracking but also maintains electrical performance even when damaged. Merlin’s panels are significantly lighter than traditional glass counterparts and can be affixed to a variety of surfaces thanks to an adhesive backing, similar to a child's sticker. This unique design enables seamless installation on curved surfaces, making them an ideal choice for recreational vehicles (RVs) and other unconventional applications.
One of the standout features of Merlin’s technology is its superior performance in shaded conditions. Unlike conventional panels, which experience dramatic power losses when even a small section is obscured, Merlin’s interconnected design allows electricity to reroute efficiently, ensuring more consistent energy production.
This innovation has made Merlin's flexible solar panels particularly appealing to RV owners and businesses such as Perdue, Daimler, and Ryder. These companies have turned to Merlin to enhance their operations by reducing reliance on fossil fuels for powering onboard systems, achieving a return on investment in as little as a year and a half.
While Merlin's advanced technology comes with a higher price tag, the company strategically targets markets where it can compete on value rather than just cost. “We go into spaces where we are not competing singularly on cost,” Murali said, emphasizing the importance of sustainable energy solutions over traditional diesel power.
Looking ahead, Merlin Solar is setting its sights on the rooftop solar sector, where a substantial number of solar installations occur. The company recently secured $31 million in Series B funding, led by Fifth Wall and supported by investors like Saint-Gobain and Ayala. With this funding, Merlin aims to scale its operations and expand its market presence.
In a promising collaboration, Merlin hopes to integrate its flexible panels into Saint-Gobain's solar shingles, potentially making them one of the startup’s largest customers. As the solar industry continues to evolve, Merlin Solar stands poised to lead the charge, transforming how we harness solar energy and making it more accessible and adaptable than ever before.
