Solar Sound System

What Solar Sound System does

Solar Sound System is a France-headquartered (Montreuil) private events company, founded in 1999 in Lausanne by Cédric Carles, that rents solar- and bicycle-powered mobile sound systems to event organizers. Its core technology pairs photovoltaic panels with crowd-pedaled bicycle generators to deliver off-grid, zero-emission audio amplification at capacities up to 4,000 watts for live bands and 1,500-person festival stages (500-person standard). The product portfolio includes a Solar Tricycle for DJ sets, a Solar Generator for live bands, and a set of Paris-branch modules (Le Triporteur, La Solar Musette, Station Électrique, Solar Stage, La Black Box), plus the Radio3S 24/7 solar-powered web radio launched in 2016.

The company earns revenue primarily through per-event equipment rental of all-inclusive packages (DJ/installation/technician, optional bicycle dynamos for crowd participation) and, secondarily, through a franchise-like distribution model in which regional managers operate local branches under the SolarSoundSystem brand. Customers span music festivals (Art Basel, SONAR Hong Kong, Montreux Jazz, Quito Solar Festival), brand activations, municipal and government events (COP21/22/23/25, EcoMotion), NGOs (WWF, UNESCO engagements), and educational institutions (Green Step, Green Course). Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed.

The organization operates 8 branches across Europe (Paris, Lausanne, Marseille, Berlin, Basque Country), the Middle East (Tel Aviv), Asia (Hong Kong), and South America (Bolivia, Ecuador), with reported impact of 180,000+ people reached and 600+ events delivered since inception. It is a creation of Atelier21, a Franco-Swiss think-tank on energy transition, and is sponsored by Schneider Electric Foundation, Enercoop, and Lemonaid/Charitea. Recognition includes UNESCO (2004-2014 Activity of the Decade), COP21 Label, Solar Impulse Foundation Label, EE Music Europe Award, MIT Future Energy Summit invitation, and TEDx presentations. No external funding rounds are disclosed.

Name

Solar Sound System

Legal name

SolarSoundSystem

Website

https://solarsoundsystem.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Solar Sound System rents solar- and bicycle-powered mobile sound systems to event organizers, serving festivals, brand activations, governments, and NGOs across 8+ countries through a franchise network founded in 1999.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Event Audio Rental Services

NAICS

Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (3343)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Party DJ, Music & Audio Services (HSACACAI)

Keywords

• Sustainable event sound systems
• Renewable energy audio amplification
• Solar powered event production
• Bicycle generator sound systems
• Off-grid festival audio services

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Event Equipment Rental: Rental of solar and bike-powered sound systems for events including festivals, conferences, sports events, private events, and corporate functions. Pricing varies by setup (DJ set vs live band), capacity requirements, and event duration. All-inclusive packages typically include DJ, installation, and technician.
2. Franchise Network Revenue: The organization operates through a franchise model where regional managers run their own SolarSoundSystem branches. This generates revenue through the central network while distributing operations across multiple geographies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Solar Sound System rents and operates modular, mobile, off-grid sound reinforcement systems powered by photovoltaic panels and human-powered bicycle generators for events such as festivals, conferences, sports events, brand activations, and private functions. Standard setups cover up to 500 people with up to 10 hours of autonomy, while additional modules scale capacity to 1,500 people for festival-grade stages; all-inclusive packages bundle DJ, installation, and technician services.

Product overview

Solar Sound System is a modular, mobile sound system service powered by 100% renewable energy (solar panels and bicycle generators). The portfolio includes core offerings like the DJ Set/Solar Tricycle (covering up to 500 people) and Live Band/Solar Generator (4000W capacity for larger events), supplemented by specialized Paris-branch modules: Le Triporteur (2x1000W triporteur system), La Solar Musette (vintage bike generators), Station Électrique (phone charging station), Solar Stage (full concert setup with 2400W inverter), and La Black Box (compact system with energy display). The ecosystem also includes Radio3S, a 24/7 solar-powered web radio station. Systems can scale to cover up to 1500 people for festival-scale events using additional modules. All systems emphasize interactivity, allowing the public to participate in power generation through pedaling.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Radio3S: Solar-powered web radio station operating 24/7, broadcasting events, shows and documentaries. Launched in 2016.
• Le Triporteur
• La Solar Musette
• Solar Stage
• La Black Box

Products and services

• DJ Set / Solar Tricycle

Quantifiable outcome

• Consumes up to 10x less electricity than standard sound solutions for equivalent setup
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

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

• Lemonaid/ChariteacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLemonaid/Charitea is listed as a key partnership supporting SolarSoundSystem. Both organizations share sustainability and social enterprise values.
• Native InstrumentscoreTechnology or IntegrationNative Instruments provides DJ equipment and technology integration for SolarSoundSystem, supporting high-quality audio production.
• Region Nouvelle-AquitainecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional government support for SolarSoundSystem's Basque Country branch and European operations.
• Atelier21flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSolarSoundSystem is a creation of Atelier21, a think-tank leading other projects related to energy transition such as RegenBox and Paleo-Energetique. Atelier21 is the parent organization that developed SolarSoundSystem. Rental revenue helps finance Atelier21's research projects.
• WWF (World Wildlife Fund)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWWF is listed as an international partner/client of SolarSoundSystem, collaborating on sustainability-focused events.
• UNESCOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSolarSoundSystem has participated in UNESCO events and was recognized by UNESCO for education towards sustainable development.
• COP ConferencescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSolarSoundSystem has official participation at COP21, COP22, COP23, and COP25 climate conferences as a sustainable event solution provider. Labeled COP21.
• Art BaselcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArt Basel (Miami and global) has featured SolarSoundSystem at events, combining art with sustainable technology.
• SONAR FestivalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSONAR Festival Hong Kong has partnered with SolarSoundSystem for 2018 and 2019 editions, providing sustainable sound at this major electronic music festival.
• Montreux Jazz FestivalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSolarSoundSystem has provided sustainable sound support for the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival.
• Ninja TunecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNinja Tune, the renowned independent record label, has supported SolarSoundSystem. Matt Black (Coldcut/Ninja Tune) performed at SolarSoundSystem events including Techno Parade 2014.
• mARTaderominorStrategic or Co-development PartnermARTadero cultural center in Bolivia is a local partner of SolarSoundSystem, supporting sustainable cultural events.
• Alliance Française de QuitominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Ecuadorian cultural institution that partnered with SolarSoundSystem for the Quito Solar Festival 2025.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• L-Acoustics: High-end professional sound reinforcement manufacturer and provider for live events, festivals, and touring. Comparable to SolarSoundSystem as a premium audio brand serving large-scale events and tours, though L-Acoustics operates with conventional grid/generator power rather than off-grid renewables.
• d&b audiotechnik: Professional audio systems manufacturer specializing in sound reinforcement for concerts, festivals, and installations. Directly comparable to SolarSoundSystem's core competency of delivering high-quality sound for live events at scale.
• Funktion-One: UK-based professional loudspeaker manufacturer known for festival and event sound systems. Comparable to SolarSoundSystem as a specialist in event audio quality, with a similar focus on premium sound experiences at live events.
• Meyer Sound: Professional sound reinforcement manufacturer for concerts, festivals, and installations worldwide. Directly comparable to SolarSoundSystem's event-amplification business with a longer industry track record and broader scale.
• Adamson Systems Engineering: Canadian professional audio manufacturer focused on live event and touring sound systems. Comparable as a direct competitor in the festival and large-event audio category where SolarSoundSystem also competes at its 1,500-person capacity.
• Powersoft: Italian manufacturer of professional amplifiers and powered audio solutions for live events and installed sound. Comparable as a technology supplier enabling high-efficiency event audio — a key value driver also cited in SolarSoundSystem's 10x lower energy consumption claim.

Broad incumbents

• Bose Professional: Established professional audio division offering sound systems for commercial, hospitality, and event applications. Comparable as a broader incumbent serving events with portable/fixed audio solutions, though not focused on sustainable off-grid power.

Emerging players

• EcoFlow: Portable power station and solar generator manufacturer targeting events, outdoor recreation, and off-grid use. Comparable as an emerging competitor in mobile renewable power for events, with overlapping customer interest in off-grid amplification but a consumer/hardware rather than service business model.
• Goal Zero: Portable solar power and battery product company serving outdoor events, expeditions, and consumer markets. Comparable as a provider of mobile solar+battery power that event organizers could use as an alternative or complement to SolarSoundSystem's integrated solution.
• BioLite: Energy products company focused on off-grid power, lighting, and cooking solutions for emerging markets and outdoor use. Comparable thematically through off-grid renewable energy for participatory events and impact-driven use cases aligned with SolarSoundSystem's mission.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/SolarSoundSystemOrg
• Facebookfacebook.com/paris.solarsoundsystem
• Xx.com/SolarSoundSystm

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries9 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 Solar Sound System