Merlin Solar Technologies

What Merlin Solar Technologies does

Merlin Solar Technologies, Inc. is a US-based solar hardware company founded in 2016 and headquartered at 5225 Hellyer Ave, Suite 200, San Jose, California. The company designs and manufactures flexible, lightweight, rugged mono-crystalline silicon (mono-cSi) solar panels built on its patented Merlin Grid technology — a metal grid interconnect architecture with more than 2,100 independent redundant connections and >180 spring interconnects designed to eliminate cell micro-cracking and interconnect fatigue. Compared with conventional glass modules, Merlin's panels are stated to be approximately 80% lighter, 50× more durable, 20% higher in energy output than thin-film alternatives, and 50% higher in power density. Applications target commercial transportation (heavy- and medium-duty trucks, trailers, refrigerated transport), defense, disaster relief, RV/overland, maritime, and portable off-grid use. Manufacturing is conducted at a company-owned flexible module facility in Laguna, Philippines (production began August 2025), with R&D, sales, and corporate functions based in the US.

The commercial model combines three channels: (1) direct B2B enterprise sales to fleet operators through case-study-driven selling — named customers include Nussbaum Transportation (70% of fleet equipped, idle time cut from 15% to <1%, battery life extended 2.5×), GP Transco (~600 trucks, $1,700/tractor/year fuel savings, 107,000 gallons saved fleet-wide), and AEM (refrigerated transport, 130,000+ zero-emission hours); (2) OEM embedded partnerships for integration at the vehicle/trailer manufacturing stage — most notably with Schmitz Cargobull AG for the S.CU transport refrigeration unit, alongside direct-fit RoadWarrior Pro kits for Daimler, Paccar, Kenworth, Peterbilt, DAF, International, and Volvo platforms; and (3) online inquiry routing and industry association channels (e.g., NJMTA membership). Products span standalone panels (FLX-AH120R, SRS 100/115/200W), integrated kits (RoadWarrior Pro, scalable 100W–3kW), portable systems (Panther100), and custom OEM modules. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; the company quotes via direct sales for fleet/OEM accounts.

The company has accumulated 50+ international patents covering flexible photovoltaic modules, expanded metal cell coupling, solder application, and semiconductor metallization, and holds UL 61730 and IEC 61215/61730 certifications on select products. Capital activity includes a $31 million round in October 2024 led by Fifth Wall with participation from Ayala Corporation and Saint-Gobain, and an additional $16 million round in January 2026. Recent strategic moves in 2025 include the Schmitz Cargobull partnership, the Philippines manufacturing launch, and maritime trials with Eco Marine Power. Leadership transitioned in 2025 to Arthur Tan as CEO, with founder Venkatesan Murali continuing as CTO and co-founder Bob Brainard in a vice president role; founding CEO Kendall Combs and CFO Ian VanReepinghen remain connected to the company's history as documented in firmographic records.

Name

Merlin Solar Technologies

Legal name

Merlin Solar Technologies, Inc.

Website

https://merlinsolar.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Merlin Solar Technologies manufactures flexible, lightweight mono-crystalline silicon solar panels using patented Merlin Grid interconnect technology, supplying commercial transportation fleets, defense, maritime, RV, and OEM vehicle/trailer manufacturers including Schmitz Cargobull.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

San Jose

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel

Revenue model

1. Solar Panel Hardware Sales: Sale of flexible, lightweight solar panels and integrated solar power systems. Products include RoadWarrior Pro kits with panels, solar charge controllers, cables, and accessories. Revenue generated from B2B fleet sales and OEM partnerships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Merlin Solar Technologies manufactures and sells flexible, lightweight, rugged solar panels and integrated solar power kits built on its patented Merlin Grid interconnect technology. The product portfolio addresses commercial transportation (heavy-duty and light/medium-duty fleets, refrigerated trailers), defense, off-grid, RV/overland, and maritime applications. Kits (RoadWarrior Pro series) bundle panels with charge controllers, cables, and accessories; the company also develops custom OEM-embedded solar modules for vehicle and trailer manufacturers.

Product overview

Merlin Solar Technologies is a solar panel and integrated solar power systems company offering a portfolio of flexible, rugged, and lightweight solar solutions built on patented Merlin Grid technology. The product portfolio centers on flexible silicon solar modules with patented metal grid interconnects providing over 2100 redundant connections, enabling deployment in demanding mobile environments. Key products include: the FLX-AH120R flexible panel (80% lighter, 50x more durable than standard panels); the RoadWarrior Pro (RWP) kit product line for commercial transportation in both heavy-duty and light/medium-duty configurations; portable products including the Panther100 and SRS series for RVs and overland use; custom-engineered solutions such as the solar panel for Schmitz Cargobull's S.CU transport refrigeration unit; and specialized solutions for defense, disaster relief, and maritime applications. The company was founded in 2016 and maintains manufacturing operations in the Philippines alongside its San Jose, California headquarters.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Merlin Grid Patented Technology: Patented grid-based solar cell interconnect technology with over 2100 independent redundant connections, providing flexibility, ruggedness, and lightweight characteristics for mobile applications.
• RoadWarrior Pro Series
• Merlin Tough

Products and services

• RoadWarrior Pro (RWP) Solar Kits Plug-and-play solar kits including Merlin panels with patented technology, optimized solar charge controller, cables, and accessories for rapid installation on heavy-duty trucks, trailers, light/medium-duty vans, box trucks, last-mile delivery vehicles, school buses, and commercial fleets.
• FLX-AH120R Flexible Solar Panel Flexible solar panel featuring patented grid technology, designed for 50x greater durability versus standard panels, 80% lighter weight, and 20% more energy output compared to thin film technology.
• Merlin 500W Curved Solar Panel 500W flexible solar panel designed to fit seamlessly into roof indentations on commercial trucks like Freightliner Cascadia, featuring low-profile aerodynamic integration and direct-fit mounting.
• SRS Series Flexible Solar Panels Lightweight, flexible solar panels designed for RV and overland applications, available in various power configurations including 100W, 115W, and 200W variants.
• Panther100 Portable Solar Panel Portable, foldable solar panel system designed for lightweight, portable power applications with rugged construction ensuring durability in challenging conditions.
• Defense Solar Solutions Flexible, rugged solar panels designed for military applications including personnel, shelters, vehicles, and tactical operations. Features rapid deployment, lightweight foldable design available in black and camouflage styles, weatherproof sealed junction boxes, and superior low-light performance.
• Disaster Relief Solar Solutions Portable solar solutions for urgent power requirements featuring lightweight foldable design, quick deployment capability, rugged construction, and the ability to power command centers, IT equipment, and electronics.
• Custom Solar Panel for Schmitz Cargobull S.CU Transport Refrigeration Unit Custom lightweight integrated solar panel developed for Schmitz Cargobull's S.CU transport refrigeration unit. Extends operating time of trailer smart-consumer functions and reduces risk of deep discharge of 12V battery during non-operation of the TRU.
• RV & Overland Solar Systems Rugged, field-tested solar systems adapted for RVs and motorhomes featuring scalable power from 100W to 3kW, designed for generator-free boondocking with proven reliability and extended battery life.

Quantifiable outcome

• Idle time reduced from 15% to <1% with Merlin solar panels (Nussbaum Transportation)
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Schmitz Cargobull AGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 November 2025Merlin Solar was selected by Schmitz Cargobull to develop and mass-produce a custom, lightweight, integrated solar panel tailored specifically for Schmitz Cargobull's S.CU transport refrigeration unit. This collaboration brings together Schmitz Cargobull's position as market leader for temperature-controlled transport solutions with Merlin's expertise in flexible, durable solar technology. The solar module extends operation of smart consumer functions on trailers and reduces deep discharge risk of 12V batteries during non-operation of the TRU. Schmitz Cargobull is a German family-run company founded in 1892, producing around 60,000 vehicles per year with 6,000+ employees and 2.4 billion euros turnover.
• New Jersey Motor Truck Association (NJMTA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMerlin Solar Technologies joined the NJMTA to strengthen engagement with commercial transportation and trucking industry. The association represents carriers, fleet operators, and transportation stakeholders across New Jersey, providing advocacy, education, and industry collaboration centered on safety, compliance, and operational efficiency. Membership supports Merlin's collaboration with industry professionals and helps ensure technology alignment with real-world fleet requirements.
• Aries MarineminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInstallation partner for Eco Marine Power maritime trials. Aries Marine fitted Merlin solar panels onto custom frames mounted on ships for the Aquarius Marine Solar Power system evaluation.
• Grand DesignminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerMerlin Solar panels are featured on Grand Design's Lineage line of RVs, indicating an OEM/preferred supplier relationship for RV solar solutions.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sunflare: Manufactures flexible, lightweight CIGS solar panels specifically designed for commercial vehicles, trucks, and rooftops — the closest direct competitor to Merlin's flexible c-Si panels for transportation applications.
• MiaSolé: Producer of flexible, thin-film copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) solar cells and modules for rooftop, transportation, and portable applications — overlaps directly with Merlin's flexible solar value proposition.
• Go Power!: Provides solar kits and power systems for RVs, trucks, and commercial vehicles — directly overlaps Merlin's RoadWarrior Pro and RV/overland product lines with a similar B2B distribution model.
• Zamp Solar: Designs and manufactures portable and rooftop solar panels plus integrated charge controllers for RVs, overland vehicles, and off-grid applications — competes in the same flexible solar/RV market as Merlin.

Emerging players

• Flisom: Swiss flexible CIGS thin-film solar module manufacturer targeting building-integrated PV, vehicles, and portable power — competing in the same flexible solar category as Merlin with a different cell technology.
• Renogy: Sells flexible and rigid solar panels, charge controllers, and complete off-grid solar kits for RVs, marine, and overlanding — comparable product portfolio and overlapping customer base in the RV/overland and off-grid segments Merlin serves.

Broad incumbents

• Maxeon Solar Technologies: Public company (NASDAQ: MAXN) spun out of SunPower, manufacturing high-efficiency crystalline silicon solar cells and panels for residential, commercial, and premium applications — a much larger, well-capitalized competitor with potential to enter flexible/lightweight segments.
• Hanwha Qcells: One of the world's largest solar manufacturers with a broad portfolio across residential, commercial, and utility-scale; a potential competitor entering flexible/lightweight modules with significantly greater capital and scale than Merlin.
• SunPower: Established U.S. residential and commercial solar provider with technology roots in Maxeon back-contact cells; a broad incumbent whose scale and brand pose a competitive threat if it moves into flexible mobile solar.

Regional players

• Eco Marine Power: Japan-based developer of marine solar power systems (Aquarius) currently evaluating Merlin panels; comparable in maritime solar applications and an existing partner/competitor in the marine segment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/Merlin_Solar
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCm1iw07cIEX5YtKHj4j6RGw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/merlin-solar
• Instagraminstagram.com/merlin.solar

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Merlin Solar Technologies