Sunflare

What Sunflare does

Sunflare is a privately held US solar technology company founded in 2009 and headquartered in La Verne, California (Los Angeles area), with 51–100 employees. The company designs and manufactures lightweight, thin, and flexible CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium Selenide) solar panels using a proprietary Capture4 cell-by-cell manufacturing process printed onto stainless steel substrates. Its SUN2 cell architecture achieves a stated 98% cell yield and places a bypass diode at each individual cell for superior shade tolerance, yielding panels that are approximately 75% lighter and 95% thinner than conventional crystalline-silicon modules. Current production capacity is 8 MW at a Nanjing, China facility (with stated plans to reach 48 MW), and R&D and proprietary process development sit in Sweden.

The product portfolio spans the Flex60 flagship flexible module (170–180W, ~11 lbs), the PowerFit 20 standing-seam metal roof module (60W), the Array Series for residential rooftops, the XPLOR Series for recreational vehicles, and patent-pending snap-together residential solar shingles. Sunflare generates revenue through direct-to-consumer hardware sales (entry-level 105W panels starting at $449) and through OEM/embedded partnerships where its panels are integrated into third-party products such as Yakima CBX SOLAR cargo boxes, Vistabule teardrop trailers, Dvele modular homes, Adventure Ready solar tents, and Honest Eco's Squid hybrid boat. The 40 MW Israel landfill project (2019) signals intent to address utility-scale and brownfield applications where conventional rigid panels are unsuitable. End customers include residential homeowners, RV and boat owners, commercial buildings with structural load limits, search and rescue operations, and OEM manufacturers across outdoor recreation, marine, and modular housing verticals.

Name

Sunflare

Legal name

Sunflare

Website

https://sunflaresolar.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Sunflare is a private US solar manufacturer founded in 2009 that produces lightweight, flexible CIGS thin-film solar panels via its proprietary Capture4 cell-by-cell process, serving residential, recreational, commercial, and OEM-embedded customers through direct sales and partnerships across the US, China, and Sweden.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Solar Panels

SIC

Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)

akta.pro primary industry

Solar PV Module Manufacturing (Cells, Modules, Thin-Film) (EUAMABAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Solar PV Module & Cell Manufacturing (Crystalline, Thin-Film) (EUAMAHAA), Solar Roofing & Roof-Mounted PV Systems (IMADAFAO), Solar Plant Components Supply & Manufacturing (Modules, Cells, Wafers, Mirrors, Heliostats) (EUACAGAK)

Keywords

• Flexible solar panels
• CIGS thin-film solar
• Lightweight solar modules
• Residential solar shingles
• Recreational vehicle solar

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Solar Panel Hardware Sales: Sunflare generates revenue through direct sales of flexible CIGS solar panels, including Flex60 modules, PowerFit standing seam roof panels, and XPLOR/Array series for residential and recreational applications. Panels are sold with varying wattage options (105W, 125W, 180W) and feature 25-year warranties.
2. OEM/Embedded Solar Integration: Sunflare supplies its CIGS panels as embedded components for third-party products including Yakima cargo boxes, recreational vehicles, boats, and modular homes. Revenue generated through B2B partnerships with manufacturers integrating solar technology.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Sunflare manufactures and sells thin, lightweight, and flexible CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium Selenide) solar panels built on a stainless steel substrate using a proprietary Capture4 cell-by-cell manufacturing process. The panels are sold directly to residential homeowners, RV/boat owners, and commercial customers, and are also embedded into OEM products such as Yakima cargo boxes, Vistabule trailers, and Dvele modular homes.

Product overview

Sunflare is a solar technology company that offers a portfolio of lightweight, thin, flexible CIGS (copper indium gallium selenide) solar panels. The product lineup centers on the Flex60 flexible panel series as the core product, complemented by the Array Series (residential) and XPLOR Series (recreational) sub-brands. Building-integrated products include PowerFit modules for standing-seam metal roofs and residential solar roof shingles. The company's proprietary SUN2 cell technology and Capture4 manufacturing process enable cell-by-cell production with bypass diodes at every cell for superior shade tolerance. All products share the distinguishing characteristics of being 75% lighter, 95% thinner than traditional silicon panels, and capable of adhesive installation without roof penetrations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• XPLOR Series: Flexible solar panels designed for recreational applications including overlanding vehicles and tents.
• Array Series
• Flex60
• PowerFit
• SUN2

Products and services

• Flex60 Flexible Solar Panel Sunflare's flagship flexible CIGS solar panel module on stainless steel backing. Weighs approximately 11 pounds (5 kg), features bypass diode per cell for shade tolerance and adhesive backing for peel-and-stick installation. Available in 170W to 180W capacities.
• Array Series Residential solar panel series featuring Sunflare's lightweight, flexible CIGS technology. Designed for homeowners seeking seamless rooftop integration without traditional mounting hardware.
• XPLOR Series Solar panels designed for recreational applications including overlanding vehicles, vans, and teardrop trailers. Features flexible, lightweight design that conforms to curved surfaces.
• PowerFit Solar Module Solar modules designed for standing seam metal roofs that nestle in between the seams, making them practically invisible. Features butyl adhesive backing for peel-and-stick application without roof penetrations. The PowerFit 20 model provides 60W output.
• Residential Solar Roof Shingles CIGS solar cells encapsulated in lightweight polymer sheets with snap-together electrical connectors. Features 100% waterproofing, standard roofing installation methods, and a temperature coefficient of -0.31% per 1 degree Celsius. Each tile generates approximately 2 watts.

Quantifiable outcome

• 75% lighter than traditional silicon panels (11 lbs vs 40 lbs)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• YakimacoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 January 2020Yakima partnered with Sunflare to design CBX SOLAR, the first mass-produced, premium-level cargo box with an integrated solar panel. The $1,299 carrier features Sunflare panels providing 36W/5V output for camping power. This partnership won multiple industry awards including TIME's 100 Best Inventions of 2020.
• DvelecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Dvele, an off-grid smart home developer, partners with Sunflare for integrated solar solutions in their modular homes. Sunflare panels generate over 13,500 kWh for some installations, covering 100% of household electricity. Both companies share missions around sustainable, efficient housing.
• Honest EcoflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerHonest Eco operates the 'Squid' - the world's first lithium ion battery-powered hybrid charter boat with electric motors, powered by 12 custom-sized Sunflare modules producing 2000W. This flagship project demonstrates Sunflare's marine applications and eco-tourism use cases.
• VistabulecoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerMinnesota-based Vistabule partnered with Sunflare to offer solar-powered teardrop trailers that can go completely off-grid. Sunflare panels on the Vistabule can charge phones, run fridges, lights, fans, and laptops from solar power alone.
• Wild We RoamminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerVan conversion company using Sunflare panels for off-grid power systems. Wild We Roam installed 3 Sunflare panels (two 134W and one 77W) using 3M double-sided tape for their customer builds.
• Adventure ReadyminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerSeattle company outfits off-road vehicles with Sunflare-coated solar tents that generate power for refrigerators, phones, laptops, and lights during backcountry overlanding adventures.
• David Walworth (Walworth Designs)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMIT-educated boat designer who collaborated with Honest Eco and Sunflare to design the Squid hybrid boat, achieving first Coast Guard certification for a near-coastal hybrid catamaran of its kind.
• King County Search and RescueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWashington state search and rescue organization using Sunflare panels on their ex-Swiss Army Pinzgauer vehicle to power mission-critical electronics during search operations, replacing gasoline-powered systems.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hanergy Thin Film Power: Chinese holding company and largest CIGS thin-film player globally, parent of MiaSolé, Solibro, and Global Solar Energy. Competes with Sunflare in flexible CIGS modules and on cost-down manufacturing scale.
• Renogy: Direct-to-consumer solar brand selling panels, charge controllers, and complete kits for RVs, boats, cabins, and off-grid applications. Competes head-to-head with Sunflare's XPLOR Series in the recreational/outdoor channel.
• First Solar: Largest thin-film solar manufacturer globally, producing CdTe panels at GW scale. Most direct technology analog to Sunflare in the thin-film category, competing for utility-scale and commercial projects with a different absorber material.
• MiaSolé: CIGS thin-film solar manufacturer acquired by Hanergy, producing flexible cells on stainless steel substrate — the same material stack Sunflare uses. Direct technology peer in flexible CIGS.
• Solar Frontier: Japanese subsidiary of Showa Shell (now Idemitsu Kosan) producing CIS thin-film solar modules. Direct peer in CIGS/CIS thin-film technology targeting residential and utility markets.

Emerging players

• GAF Energy: Building-products subsidiary of Standard Industries manufacturing Timberline Solar roofing shingles. Competes with Sunflare's patent-pending residential solar shingle line in the re-roofing channel.
• Maxeon Solar Technologies: Premium solar panel spin-off from SunPower selling high-efficiency back-contact modules for residential applications. Competes with Sunflare's Array Series in the premium homeowner segment.
• Solaria: US-based manufacturer of premium aesthetic solar panels optimized for residential rooftops where appearance and integration matter. Competes with Sunflare's lightweight/adhesive mounting positioning in design-conscious residential builds.

Broad incumbents

• SunPower: Established premium residential and commercial solar company offering high-efficiency panels through dealer networks. Competes with Sunflare's Array Series on premium residential positioning.
• Tesla Energy (Solar Roof): Solar roof tile product from Tesla Energy, backed by the broader Tesla brand, sales infrastructure, and Powerwall bundle. Direct competitor in residential solar roofing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FlexibleFuture
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCA0U5muKXjQOhOgJUKMsQSw
• Facebookfacebook.com/FlexibleFuture
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sunflare
• Instagraminstagram.com/flexiblefuture

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Sunflare