What GoSun does

GoSun is a Cincinnati-based solar technology company founded in 2013 that designs, manufactures, and sells a portfolio of solar-powered consumer hardware products. The company's engineering core is a proprietary vacuum tube solar collector that enables high-temperature thermal applications using only sunlight; this technology was originally commercialized in solar ovens and has since been extended to coolers, water purification, portable solar panels, power banks, an EV solar charger, solar electric boats, campers, and tiny houses. Product pricing spans a wide range, from $19 closeout items to $11,999 for the Elcat Splash solar electric boat, with the bulk of the catalog clustered in the $75-$700 accessory-and-cooker range.

The company operates a direct-to-consumer go-to-market, primarily through its own e-commerce platform, supplemented by crowdfunding channels (StartEngine, SeedInvest) that have been used repeatedly for capital raises. Cumulative disclosed funding exceeds $12.5M across multiple rounds. The deployed base includes 150,000+ units across 70+ countries, with a community of 175,000+ members built around the brand. Customer segments are long-tail and consumer-facing: outdoor enthusiasts, off-grid households, emergency preparedness buyers, and EV owners. The business model is hardware sales with attach-rate expansion via bundled kits (Prep Kit, Brew Kit) and modular accessories.

GoSun remains founder-led under Patrick Sherwin (Founder & CEO), with Nicholas Dardugno Jr. CPA as CFO and Gary Starr as VP Business Development. Headcount is in the 11-50 range. The company has received media coverage in outlets including Fortune and Forbes. The most commercially significant recent development is the EV Solar Charger, which has generated $7.5M+ in pre-orders and represents the company's first move into an automotive-adjacent vertical. No AI/ML capabilities are disclosed across the available material.

Name

GoSun

Legal name

GoSun

Website

https://gosun.co

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

GoSun is a Cincinnati-based solar hardware company founded in 2013 that designs and sells direct-to-consumer vacuum tube solar cookers, coolers, water purifiers, an EV solar charger, solar electric boats, and campers to outdoor, off-grid, and emergency preparedness consumers across 70+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Portable solar consumer appliances

NAICS

Small Electrical Appliance Manufacturing (33521), Ventilation, Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (33341), Small Electrical Appliance Manufacturing (335210)

SIC

Household Appliances (3630), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)

akta.pro primary industry

Outdoor Lighting & Power (Headlamps, Batteries, Solar) Retail (CRAMAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Outdoor & Specialty Major Appliance Retail (Outdoor Kitchens, Grills, Ice Makers) (CRACACAG), Chillers & Cooling Plant Equipment (IMAHAKAE)

Keywords

• Solar cooking appliances
• Portable solar products
• Off-grid power solutions
• Solar-powered coolers
• Emergency preparedness gear

Headquarters

HQ city

Cincinnati

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Solar Oven Sales: Primary revenue stream from portable solar ovens including Fusion ($299), Sport-E ($199), Go ($75), and Solar Oven Kit ($45). Hybrid models with electric backup command premium pricing.
2. Solar Cooler Sales: Sales of electric coolers that eliminate need for ice. Chill cooler at $699, Chillito portable fridge at $449, and Chillest freezer at $899. Bundled with solar panels and power banks.
3. Power & Charging Products: Portable power banks (Power 266 $199, Power 144), solar panels (30W $99, 60W $159, 100W), and solar car shades. Power ecosystem for off-grid energy needs.
4. Water Systems: Flow Pro water purifier ($149), Spray water pump ($59), and replacement filters ($39). Consumables and accessories drive recurring revenue.
5. EV Solar Charger: Portable rooftop EV solar charger at $3,799 with refundable $50 reservations. Pre-sold over $7.5M in orders, shipping Q3 2026.
6. Electric Boats: Solar electric boats including Elcat ($9,999) and Elcat Splash ($11,999). Premium products for marine applications.
7. Bundles & Kits: Pre-configured bundles combining ovens, coolers, and chargers at discounted prices. Prep kits (Solo $799-$4,299) target emergency preparedness segments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

GoSun designs, manufactures, and sells a portfolio of solar-powered portable consumer appliances. Its core lineup includes vacuum tube solar ovens (Fusion, Sport-E, Go, Solar Oven Kit), ice-free electric coolers (Chill, Chillito, Chillest), portable water purification and handwashing systems (Flow Pro, Spray), solar panels and power banks (Shield 60W, Solar Panels 30/100, Power 266/144), and increasingly larger mobility products such as the EV Solar Charger, Gopher Cargo E-Trike, Elcat/Elcat Splash solar electric boats, and Camp365/T-Model/Dream Tiny House off-grid campers. Products are sold as individual units or pre-configured preparedness bundles (Prep Kits, Grid, Solar Kitchen Pro).

Product overview

GoSun is a solar energy technology company offering a comprehensive ecosystem of portable solar-powered products. The portfolio includes solar ovens (Fusion, Sport-E, Go, Solar Oven Kit, Commercial Station), solar-powered coolers (Chill, Chillito, Chillest), water purification systems (Flow Pro, Spray, Flow Filter), solar charging solutions (Shield 60W, Solar Panels, Power 266, Power 144), and alternative mobility products (EV Solar Charger, Gopher Cargo E-Trike, solar boats Elcat & Splash, off-grid campers T-Model, Camp365, and Dream Tiny House). The products work together as an integrated system: solar ovens cook food without fuel, coolers keep provisions cold without ice, water systems purify and pump water off-grid, and power banks store solar energy to run all devices. The company also offers preparedness bundles (Prep Kits, Grid) for emergency scenarios.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• EV Solar Charger World's first portable rooftop EV solar charger for individual EV owners; provides up to 20 miles of range per day by harnessing solar power while parked. Features a 1,500Wh buffer battery, 1,100W solar output when parked, 30-minute installation, and universal fit on most vehicle roof racks.
• Fusion Solar Oven Hybrid solar + 12V electric oven that cooks day or night for 4-5 people, with 3L capacity and 550°F maximum temperature. Sold to outdoor enthusiasts, emergency prep buyers, and off-grid households.
• Sport-E Hybrid Solar Oven Portable 7 lb hybrid solar oven with 12V electric backup, 40oz capacity, cooks in 20 minutes, and serves 2-3 people; targeted at outdoor enthusiasts and off-grid travelers.
• Go Portable Solar Oven Ultra-portable 2 lb solar oven kit with 420ml capacity that cooks meals in 20 minutes for 1-2 people; marketed for backpacking, camping, and emergency use.
• Solar Oven Kit (DIY) DIY vacuum tube solar oven kit that cooks meals in 20 minutes using sunlight; marketed for camping, travel, educational use, and survival.
• Chill Solar Electric Cooler 40L solar-powered electric cooler for camping and outdoor use that keeps food cold without ice across a -4°F to 68°F (-20°C to 20°C) range.
• Chillito Portable Car Fridge 18L portable car fridge for travel that keeps food and drinks cool without ice; includes a Power 144 battery, USB charging ports, and wheels.
• Chillest Portable Freezer 45L portable electric cooler/freezer for beach, camping, and group use that keeps beverages and frozen foods cold without ice.
• Flow Pro Water Purifier Solar/USB-powered portable water purifier, sink, and shower for off-grid and emergency use; 3-stage filtration with 1,000L filter life and 15 PSI pumping capability.
• Spray Portable Water Pump and Shower Portable water pump and shower system for camping, emergency, and off-grid use; includes 18Wh powerbank, USB pump, 8ft hoses, and a collapsible faucet at 1 liter per minute.
• Power 266 Portable Power Bank 266Wh portable power bank with 10W Qi wireless charging, USB-C PD 60W, USB-A, and 12V DC outputs; powers laptops, tablets, cameras, and GoSun appliances.
• Power 144 Portable Power Bank 144Wh portable power bank that powers devices and GoSun appliances; included with the Chill and Chillito coolers and sold standalone for off-grid power.
• Shield 60W Foldable Solar Car Panel Foldable 60W solar panel and car shade that charges devices via USB-A, USB-C, and alligator clips for car batteries; fits any windshield with an integrated tilt stand.
• Solar Panel 30 (Foldable 30W) Foldable 30W solar charger for phones and small devices, compatible with all GoSun power banks for off-grid charging.
• Solar Panel 100 (Foldable 100W) Foldable 100W solar panel for storage and backup power; charges devices and GoSun power banks.
• Brew Travel Coffee Maker Travel coffee maker and 16oz mug that combines French press and 12V heater; brews coffee or tea in 10 minutes via a 130W heating element.
• SolarTable Pro (Solar Panel Table) Portable solar panel table that charges power banks and provides shade; part of the GoSun off-grid charging ecosystem and bundles.
• Elcat Solar Electric Boat Lightweight DWF dropstitch solar electric boat for up to 6 people; targeted at recreational boat owners wanting silent, emissions-free propulsion.
• Elcat Splash All-Electric Inflatable Boat All-electric inflatable solar boat with a 2024 steering console design; larger, easier to steer, and offers extra headroom compared with the original Elcat.
• Camp365 Off-Grid Solar Trailer Ultralight off-grid solar trailer camper for off-grid adventurers seeking roads less traveled; easy to tow and integrates with GoSun's solar ecosystem.
• Dream Solar Off-Grid Tiny House Solar-powered off-grid tiny house for independent living; tows and hooks up like an RV, integrating GoSun's solar cooking, cooling, and power systems.
• Prep Kit | Ready (Solo Emergency Kit) Emergency preparedness bundle for solo users that bundles essential GoSun products for off-grid survival; sold at $799 (MSRP $2,199).
• Prep Kit | Pro (Couple Emergency Kit) Comprehensive off-grid survival bundle for couples; sold at $1,999 (MSRP $4,299).
• Prep Kit | Super (Family Emergency Kit) Largest off-grid emergency preparedness bundle for families; sold at $4,399 (MSRP $6,299).
• Grid Emergency Preparation Micro Grid Kit Emergency preparation micro grid kit combining a GoSun solar cooker and power bank for whole-system energy independence.
• Solar Kitchen Pro Bundle Cook + Cool + Charge bundle combining the Fusion solar oven, Chill cooler, and SolarTable 60 for complete off-grid cooking, refrigeration, and power.
• Gopher Solar Cargo E-Trike Solar-powered electric cargo trike with 600 lb hauling capacity that self-charges from the sun; positioned for work or recreational use.
• Station Commercial Solar Oven Commercial-scale parabolic solar cooker for businesses, professional kitchens, and institutional use cases.
• T-Model Truck Bed Camper Lightweight, streamlined truck bed camper with a spacious interior, marketed for off-grid truck bed camping.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 20 miles of EV range per day from solar charging
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Goal Zero: Portable solar power and lighting brand owned by NRG Energy. Directly comparable to GoSun's solar panels, power banks, and integrated off-grid energy ecosystem serving outdoor and emergency preparedness consumers.
• Jackery: Leading portable power station and solar panel brand. Overlaps with GoSun's Power 266/144 power banks and foldable solar panels, targeting the same outdoor, off-grid, and emergency-prep customer base.
• EcoFlow: Portable power stations, solar panels, and battery ecosystems. Comparable to GoSun on portable power and increasingly on residential/vehicle solar integrations, with similar DTC-heavy GTM.
• Sun Oven International: Pioneer in solar oven manufacturing for household and commercial cooking. Closest direct competitor to GoSun's Fusion and Sport-E solar ovens, with overlapping vacuum-tube and box-style solar cooker lines.
• BioLite: Designs and sells off-grid energy products including solar chargers, LED lighting, and biomass stoves for outdoor and emerging-market customers. Comparable to GoSun on solar-powered lifestyle products and social-impact brand positioning.
• Bluetti: Portable power stations and solar generators with strong DTC presence. Comparable to GoSun's portable power ecosystem and increasingly overlapping on home backup and EV-adjacent use cases.
• Nature Power: Affordable solar panels, batteries, and off-grid power accessories for outdoor and emergency use. Overlaps with GoSun's foldable solar panels and entry-level solar power products in the value segment.

Broad incumbents

• Dometic: Global leader in mobile living solutions including portable refrigeration (CFX series), cooling boxes, and outdoor power. Competes directly with GoSun's Chill/Chillito/Chillest solar coolers but at much larger scale and broader distribution.
• Anker (Anker Innovations): Mass-market consumer electronics brand with a growing portable power and solar charger line (Anker Solix). Adjacent competitor to GoSun's power banks and portable solar panels, with significantly larger R&D and retail reach.

Others

• Weigh Safe: Outdoor and towing accessories brand. Thematically adjacent as a niche outdoor/automotive DTC hardware brand but does not directly compete in solar power or cooking categories.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/GoSun
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCk5nTdd5QoHlMTIpapecxjA
• Facebookfacebook.com/groups/gosun
• Instagraminstagram.com/gosun/?hl=en
• TikToktiktok.com/@go.sun?lang=en
• Pinterestpinterest.com/gosun
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/5284561

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds10 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 GoSun