Solatube International

What Solatube International does

Solatube International, Inc., founded in 1991 and headquartered in Vista, California, is the pioneer and category-defining manufacturer of tubular daylighting devices (TDDs). The company designs and produces compact, leak-proof optical skylight systems — built around patented Raybender 3000 dome optics, LightTracker reflectors, and Spectralight Infinity tubing with 99.7% specular reflectivity — that channel natural sunlight through rooftops into interior spaces with minimal structural modification. Its portfolio spans residential models (160 DS, 290 DS, 290 ISn, 290 DS Plus, ThinLine, Contour, HSE Performance Series, HVHZ) and commercial models (Brighten Up, SolaMaster, SkyVault with tube runs up to 100 feet), plus a ventilation line (Whole House, Attic, and Garage Fans).

Solatube generates revenue primarily through hardware sales of TDD and ventilation units to residential homeowners and commercial/institutional buyers (schools, libraries, hospitals, retail, government, research facilities), complemented by professional consultation, daylighting calculation, and installation services. Pricing is quote-based rather than publicly disclosed, with the U.S. federal 30% solar tax credit referenced as a residential purchase incentive. Distribution runs through a multi-tier channel: Premier Dealers, Preferred Contractors, Certified Commercial Distributors, Building Material Distributors, Home Builders, and International Distributors operating across 100+ countries. Marketing combines digital (Google Ads, Meta, SEO, HubSpot lead capture), professional publications (Architizer, Architectural Record), and YouTube content.

The company operates as a privately held subsidiary of Kingspan Light + Air, the building-products division of Kingspan Group, with a global installed base exceeding 5 million units and approximately 51-100 employees. Solatube holds sector-first ICC 500 and FEMA P-361 compliance on its 750 DS-O commercial product for storm-shelter daylighting, and has accumulated multiple industry awards including the 2024 Architizer A+ Product Award (Health & Wellness) and Architectural Record's 2023 Best Lighting Product of the Year.

Name

Solatube International

Legal name

Solatube International, Inc.

Website

https://solatube.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Solatube International, founded in 1991 and based in Vista, California, pioneers tubular daylighting devices (TDDs) that channel sunlight into building interiors, serving residential homeowners and commercial/institutional customers in 100+ countries via a multi-tier dealer and distributor network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Daylighting Systems and Skylights

NAICS

Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing (3351), Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional Electric Lighting Fixture Manufacturing (335132)

SIC

Electric Lighting & Wiring Equipment (3640)

akta.pro primary industry

Skylights, Roof Windows & Daylighting (IMADAFAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Skylights & Roof Windows (IMADAIAD)

Keywords

• Tubular daylighting devices
• Skylight systems
• Natural daylighting solutions
• Residential ventilation products
• Commercial daylighting systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Vista

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tubular Daylighting Device Sales: Solatube generates revenue primarily from the sale of tubular skylight systems, skylight products, and ventilation fans to residential and commercial customers through its dealer and distributor network. Products include the Brighten Up Series, SolaMaster Series, SkyVault Series, and HSE Performance Series skylights, as well as whole house fans, attic fans, and garage fans.
2. Professional Installation Services: The company and its certified installers provide full-service consultation and installation for both residential and commercial projects, including in-home consultations, design consultation, daylighting calculations, and installation services.
3. Dealer/Distributor Program Fees: Revenue is generated through a network of Premier Dealers, Preferred Contractors, Building Material Distributors, Certified Commercial Installers, Home Builders, and International Distributors who pay to become authorized partners and purchase products for resale and installation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Solatube International designs, manufactures, and distributes tubular daylighting devices (TDDs) and complementary ventilation products that channel natural sunlight into building interiors through roof-mounted domes and highly reflective tubing. The company sells residential skylight systems (Brighten Up Series including ThinLine and Contour collections, HSE Performance Series), commercial daylighting systems (SolaMaster Series, SkyVault Series, commercial Brighten Up), and ventilation products (whole house fans, solar attic fans, garage fans) through a global dealer and distributor network.

Product overview

Solatube International offers a comprehensive portfolio of tubular daylighting devices (TDDs) and ventilation products. The product line spans two main segments: commercial products (SkyVault Series for large spaces up to 100ft tube runs with 29-inch diameter; SolaMaster Series for mid-range applications with flexible tube configurations; Brighten Up Series for smaller commercial spaces) and residential products (Brighten Up Skylight Series featuring ThinLine Collection 70% thinner profile and Contour Collection sculptural designs; HSE Performance Series premium fixed and ventilation skylights; tubular skylights including 160 DS/ISn 10-inch models for 150-200 sq.ft. and 290 DS/ISn 14-inch models for up to 300 sq.ft., plus new 290 DS Plus 21-inch model for large spaces). The product ecosystem includes add-on modules such as Raybender 3000 and LightTracker reflector technologies, Spectralight Infinity tubing with 99.7% reflectivity, integrated solar-electric modules for nighttime lighting, and accessories including ventilation kits, light add-on kits, daylight dimmers, and extension tubes. Additionally, the portfolio includes whole house fans, solar attic fans, and garage fans for residential ventilation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SkyVault Series: Commercial tubular daylighting devices, the largest in the product line with tubes 29 inches wide and extending up to 100 feet long.
• SolaMaster Series
• Brighten Up Series
• HSE Performance Series
• Whole House Fans
• Solar Attic Fans
• Garage Fans

Products and services

• Brighten Up Series (Commercial) Tubular daylighting devices (TDDs) for small commercial spaces such as corridors, restrooms, and nooks, featuring 10-inch and 14-inch diameter tubes that deliver natural daylight to interior areas without windows.
• SolaMaster Series (Commercial) Tubular daylighting devices with varying extension tube configurations for both open and closed ceiling commercial applications, with the 750 DS-O model being the first roof-top daylighting product to achieve ICC 500 and FEMA P-361 storm shelter compliance.
• SkyVault Series (Commercial) Largest tubular daylighting devices in Solatube's portfolio, featuring M74 DS models with 29-inch wide tubes extending up to 100 feet for filling the largest commercial spaces with natural light.
• Brighten Up Skylight Series - ThinLine Collection (Residential) Next-generation residential tubular skylight collection featuring an ultra-thin ceiling fixture with up to 70% thinner profile than previous generation skylights, available with SoftView and OptiView decorative fixture options.
• Brighten Up Skylight Series - Contour Collection (Residential) Sculptural residential tubular skylight collection with bold, dimensional designs that add visual style and architectural presence, available with OptiView Frost, JustFrost, and TierDrop decorative fixtures.
• 290 DS Plus Tubular Skylight Large-format residential tubular skylight with a 21-inch ceiling opening designed to flood large rooms, high ceilings, and wide-open spaces with natural daylight, covering 275-350 sq. ft.
• 290 DS Tubular Skylight 14-inch diameter residential tubular skylight delivering natural daylight to spaces up to 300 sq. ft. such as kitchens, family rooms, master bathrooms, and large entryways, available in round and square diffuser options.
• 290 ISn Tubular Skylight 14-inch diameter residential tubular skylight with integrated solar-powered NightLight that provides ambient illumination after dark, delivering daylight to spaces up to 300 sq. ft.
• 160 DS Tubular Skylight 10-inch diameter residential tubular skylight ideal for smaller interior spaces such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, closets, and hallways, covering approximately 150-200 sq. ft.
• 160 ISn Tubular Skylight 10-inch diameter residential tubular skylight with integrated solar-powered NightLight that provides ambient illumination after dark, ideal for smaller spaces up to 200 sq. ft.
• HVHZ Tubular Skylights Impact-resistant tubular skylights designed for High Velocity Wind Zone (HVHZ) areas such as South Florida and Texas, featuring an inner shock dome for extra protection from extreme wind forces.
• HSE Performance Series Solar-Powered Fresh Breeze Skylight Premium HSE-grade skylight with solar-powered ventilation that uses solar power to recharge a concealed battery and control center for automated combined daylighting and fresh-air operation.
• HSE Performance Series Premium Fixed Skylight Flat, architectural-style premium residential skylight with energy-efficient double panel gas-filled glass that is stronger and longer lasting than acrylic and resistant to crazing or cracking.
• Whole House Fans Energy-efficient residential ventilation systems that pull fresh outdoor air inside to cool homes in approximately 3 minutes, reducing reliance on air conditioning. The 2024 Engineered Performance Series (EPS) features precision-crafted fan-blade design for improved airflow and reduced noise.
• Solar Attic Fans Solar-powered residential ventilation fans that efficiently vent hot air and moisture from attic spaces using advanced motor technologies with sleek progressive designs.
• Garage Fans Powered and solar-powered residential ventilation solutions for garage configurations, designed to remove heat and unhealthy odors.
• Ventilation Add-On Kit Residential add-on kit that combines daylighting and ventilation into a single attractive fixture, providing humidity-free rooms without ceiling clutter.
• Universal Light Add-On Kit Residential add-on that attaches to existing tubing to deliver electric lighting for nighttime use, sharing the same ceiling space as the daylighting system.
• Solar-Powered Daylight Dimmer Residential add-on featuring patented butterfly baffle technology inside the tube with a wireless remote control to adjust daylight levels.
• Extension Tubes and 0-90 Degree Angle Adapters Residential extension tubes in 20-inch increments for runs up to 30 feet, and innovative 0-90 degree angle adapters with three built-in 30-degree adapters for installing around obstacles.

Quantifiable outcome

• Spectralight® Infinity tubing delivers 99.7% specular reflectivity for the visible spectrum, enabling tube runs over 30 feet
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 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

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Kingspan Light + AircoreOthersSolatube International is a subsidiary of Kingspan Light + Air, a division of Kingspan Group. Kingspan is a global leader in building products with operations worldwide. Solatube is listed as 'A Kingspan Light + Air Company' on its website footer, indicating full ownership/integration within the Kingspan corporate structure.
• Solatube Premier DealerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndependent, locally-owned and operated businesses authorized to represent Solatube products and provide installation services. Premier Dealers undergo training and certification and are responsible for their own business practices, including communications and privacy practices. Solatube shares customer Personal Data with Premier Dealers in the customer's geographic area to fulfill service requests.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• VELUX Group: World's largest manufacturer of roof windows and skylights, offering traditional glazed skylights and sun tunnels that directly compete with Solatube's tubular daylighting devices in both residential and commercial markets.
• Kingspan Group: Solatube's parent corporation and global leader in building envelope products including insulated panels and roofing; relevant as both owner and adjacent building-products peer shaping the daylighting category.
• Acuity Brands: Large North American lighting and building solutions provider whose commercial luminaires compete with Solatube in interior commercial daylighting/lighting specifications, though focused on electric rather than natural light.
• Fakro: Global manufacturer of roof windows, flat-roof skylights, and tubular daylighting devices, competing with Solatube across international markets and overlapping in TDD and roof-window categories.

Direct peers

• Skyco Skylights: U.S. manufacturer and installer of residential and commercial skylights and sun tunnels, offering a comparable product mix to Solatube's Brighten Up series in the Western U.S. market.
• Wasco Skylights: Manufacturer of custom and standard skylights serving residential and commercial customers, overlapping with Solatube's commercial SkyVault and SolaMaster series in the architectural daylighting space.
• Bilco Company: Manufacturer of specialty roof products including skylights and smoke vents serving commercial and institutional buildings — directly comparable to Solatube's commercial SkyVault and SolaMaster lines.
• Sun-Tek Skylights: U.S.-based manufacturer of tubular sun tunnels and skylights that compete head-to-head with Solatube's residential and commercial daylighting product lines through a similar dealer/installer model.

Emerging players

• Energy Saving Products (ESP): UK-based manufacturer of solar-powered tubular daylighting devices and rooflights, an emerging international peer in the same TDD category Solatube pioneered.

Regional players

• Dayliter Skylights: Canadian skylight and tubular daylighting distributor/installer serving residential and light-commercial customers, comparable to Solatube's Premier Dealer model in a regional market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/solatube
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SolatubeVideo
• Facebookfacebook.com/solatubeinternational
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/60828
• Instagraminstagram.com/solatube

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Solatube International