YouSolar

What YouSolar does

YouSolar is a Santa Clara, California-based private company that designs, builds, and installs the PowerBloc, a modular solar nanogrid intended to function as a primary power system rather than a backup. The system centers on a parallel High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) bus architecture at 400/600V that integrates solar generation, battery storage, and ancillary sources (utility, generator, EV, thermal) into a single direct-current core before final AC inversion. The product stack includes 11+ proprietary subsystems: the STEP panel-level DC-DC micro-converter, BOOST 100V rack-mounted batteries forming a 600V stack, the FORCE 100A grid-forming inverter, the EDISON energy management system, the SPOT satellite-based solar forecast service, the TRAFFIC controller, the TWIN bi-directional DC-DC converter, the EXTEND rectifier, the MICRO-LINK multi-PowerBloc networking module, and the DIYA tablet user interface, with a CHESS thermal-storage integration introduced in late 2024.

YouSolar's primary customers are high-end California homeowners in wildfire- and PSPS-exposed areas who need energy independence and face six-figure utility upgrade costs; secondary segments include wineries, family farms, and commercial operations needing off-grid or three-phase power, plus sustainability-focused educational institutions and a planned global off-grid market entry. Configurations scale from a PowerBloc BASE (70 kWh, 100A) up to expanded eight-cabinet systems delivering 280 kWh and 400A single-phase or 140 kW three-phase.

The company generates revenue primarily through one-time hardware sales of PowerBloc systems bundled with white-glove design and installation management services, sold direct via its website and through a contractor/electrician referral network. Pricing is custom-quoted and not publicly disclosed, with systems comparable in cost to utility service upgrades of roughly $250,000 and eligible for a 30-40% federal investment tax credit. Capital has been raised through a 2018 Series A led by MIT Angels of Northern California plus multiple equity crowdfunding campaigns on StartEngine totaling over $12 million from more than 3,000 shareholders as of late 2024.

Name

YouSolar

Legal name

YouSolar, Inc.

Website

http://yousolar.com/

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

YouSolar designs and installs the PowerBloc, a modular solar+battery nanogrid using HVDC architecture that delivers primary, utility-independent power to high-end homeowners, wineries, farms, and select commercial and educational sites in the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Residential Solar Energy Storage Systems

NAICS

Solar Electric Power Generation (221114)

SIC

Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600), Switchgear & Switchboard Apparatus (3613)

akta.pro primary industry

Renewable Distributed Generation (Rooftop/Onsite Solar, Small Wind, Small Hydro) (EUACALAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Distributed Generation (DG) Solar & Small Wind (EUAMAJAD), Solar Inverters, Power Electronics & MLPE (String/Central Inverters, Optimizers, Microinverters) (EUAMABAE), Power Electronics for Renewable & Grid-Tied Applications (Solar inverters, wind converters, grid-tie interfaces) (IMAGADAJ), Community Microgrids & Shared Distributed Generation (EUACALAC), Renewable Power Electronics & Advanced Inverters R&D (SiC/GaN, Grid-Forming, HVDC Converter Tech) (EUAMAOAF)

Keywords

• Solar nanogrid systems
• Residential solar storage
• Off-grid power systems
• High voltage DC solar
• Modular battery systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Clara

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. PowerBloc System Sales: YouSolar sells fully-integrated solar+battery systems including everything from solar panels to batteries to the inverter. Systems are designed and installed by YouSolar with 'white glove' service. Revenue is generated from the sale of PowerBloc nanogrid systems with varying configurations (BASE, expanded cabinets) to residential and commercial customers.
2. Design and Installation Services: Complete system design and installation management included with system purchase. YouSolar provides one-stop service for owners, architects, and builders before and after installation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

YouSolar designs, manufactures, and sells the PowerBloc, a modular solar nanogrid system that integrates solar panels, battery storage, and multiple power sources via a proprietary parallel High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) architecture at 400/600V. The system is positioned as a practical utility replacement that delivers primary whole-home or business power rather than backup, and is sold with complete system design and installation management.

Product overview

YouSolar offers a modular solar+battery system architecture centered on the PowerBloc® solar nanogrid. The PowerBloc is a fully-integrated, plug-and-play system that serves as a practical utility replacement for homes and businesses. The core PowerBloc product works alongside proprietary subsystems including the STEP™ micro-converter for panel-level solar optimization, the BOOST™ battery stack for energy storage, and the FORCE™ inverter for power conversion. Supporting software includes the DIYA™ tablet interface for user control, EDISON™ for energy management, and SPOT™ for solar forecasting. The Gen 3 PowerBloc (current generation) comes in cabinet configurations scaling from the BASE™ with 70kWh/100A to larger systems with 280kWh/400A. The Gen 4 with stackable modules is in development for mass-market deployment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PowerBloc®: Solar nanogrid system that delivers reliable and clean power with little or no dependence on utility power. Features modular power architecture that can meet needs of a home or scale to power a business.
• DIYA™
• STEP™
• FORCE™
• CHESS™
• TRAFFIC™
• SPOT™
• EDISON™
• BOOST™

Products and services

• PowerBloc® Modular and scalable solar nanogrid system that delivers reliable, clean power with little or no dependence on utility power, using a unique modular power architecture with a 400/600V parallel High Voltage Direct Current design. Powers whole homes or businesses including air conditioners, EV charging, and three-phase equipment, and operates as a primary power supply whether the grid is up or down.
• PowerBloc Gen 3 Third-generation PowerBloc featuring the new 100V BOOST battery stack and FORCE inverter, integrating solar, storage, generator, and bidirectional EV charging into a single primary-power nanogrid for residential and commercial sites.
• Stackable PowerBloc (Gen 4) Next-generation stackable plug-and-play PowerBloc with hand-installable modules engineered for mass-market global deployment, including off-grid communities where grid infrastructure is unavailable or unreliable.
• PowerBloc BASE

Quantifiable outcome

• Solar production increases by allowing each panel to operate independently via STEP micro-converters, with shaded panels losing only their own output rather than reducing entire array performance.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature11 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and minor.

• CHESS Energy Solutions LLCflagshipTechnology or Integration · 20 November 2024Purchased PowerBloc BASE integrated with CHESS (Combined Heat and Electricity Storage System) thermal storage for long-duration energy storage in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. CHESS adds large, cost-effective storage allowing homes to be self-sufficient even in winter.
• SunseapminorOthers · 1 May 2018Leading solar developer from Singapore that generously donated 24 solar panels for the Green School Bali iHub solar array project.
• United Parcel Service (UPS)minorOthers · 1 May 2018Shipped solar panels free of charge from Singapore to Bali for the Green School project.
• Hewlett-Packard Family MemberminorOthers · 1 May 2018Member of Hewlett-Packard families who donated the inverter and balance of system for Green School Bali project, and later additional donation for solar array expansion recognizing school's project execution excellence.
• Plug and Play Technology CenterflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2018Selected into Energy and Sustainability accelerator. Plug and Play is the world's largest accelerator and most active investor in Silicon Valley with only 2% acceptance rate. YouSolar also participated in Plug and Play Indonesia Jakarta accelerator.
• Green School BaliflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2018Partnership agreement where YouSolar provides design services and technology for the school's renewable energy expansion. GSB intends to expand local renewable energy production and storage on campus while providing learning opportunities for students and community. Longer-term vision is to get GSB fully off-grid.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Tesla Energy: Tesla's energy business sells Powerwall (residential battery), Powerpack, and Megapack (commercial/utility battery) plus solar roof products. Directly comparable to YouSolar as an integrated residential solar+battery provider targeting homeowners seeking energy independence.
• Enphase Energy: Enphase is the leading microinverter company and has expanded into home batteries (IQ Battery). Directly competes with YouSolar on the panel-level power optimization (YouSolar's STEP micro-converter vs. Enphase IQ8) and integrated home energy system dimensions.
• SolarEdge: SolarEdge manufactures DC power optimizers and inverters for residential and commercial solar. Their module-level electronics concept parallels YouSolar's STEP micro-converter approach, and they offer integrated battery and EV charging solutions.
• FranklinWH: FranklinWH offers the aPower home battery with integrated solar inverter and gateway for whole-home backup. Direct competitor in the premium residential solar+battery segment with similar positioning on energy independence and resilience.
• Sonnen (Shell-owned): Sonnen manufactures residential battery systems (sonnenCore, sonnen eco) targeted at energy independent homes, with strong presence in Germany and US. Direct competitor in the whole-home battery and energy independence segment YouSolar targets.
• OutBack Power: OutBack Power specializes in off-grid and grid-tied solar inverter/charger systems for remote homes and microgrids. Direct competitor in the off-grid residential and remote power segment YouSolar addresses with PowerBloc.

Broad incumbents

• Generac Power Systems: Generac is the largest US home backup generator company that has expanded into solar+battery with PWRcell and ecobee acquisition. Broader incumbent in residential backup power with overlapping value proposition around grid outage protection and energy resilience.
• Schneider Electric (Solar Business): Schneider Electric offers residential and commercial solar inverters, battery storage, and energy management through its Solar/RE business. Broad incumbent with overlapping capabilities in power conversion, energy management, and home backup systems.

Emerging players

• SimpliPhi Power: SimpliPhi Power manufactures lithium-ion battery storage systems for residential, commercial, and military applications with emphasis on off-grid and resilience use cases. Comparable as an emerging storage player targeting similar independence-focused customer segments.
• Pika Energy: Pika Energy (now part of Generac) developed DC-coupled solar+battery systems with bidirectional converters. Their DC architecture approach parallels YouSolar's HVDC nanogrid philosophy, making them a useful comparable for technical positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=oa9IxkbQLsY
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/yousolar-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds7 records

Investors6 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 YouSolar