Solbian Energie Alternative

What Solbian Energie Alternative does

Solbian Energie Alternative S.r.l. is an Italian private manufacturer founded in 2009 and headquartered in Avigliana (Turin), specializing in flexible photovoltaic solar panels for marine, automotive, and off-grid applications. The company employs 47 people and manufactures products under its proprietary Solbianflex technology platform, which combines high-efficiency monocrystalline silicon solar cells (up to 25.9% conversion efficiency) with advanced polymeric encapsulation rather than traditional glass, producing lightweight (as low as 0.8 kg for 51 W), walkable, salt-resistant modules. Solbian produces multiple product series (SP with Maxeon back-contact cells, SR with Merlin Solar technology, SX, ALLinONE integrated panels with embedded MPPT controllers and Wi-Fi monitoring, SunBender kits, and the recently launched SunBoard for boat lifelines), supplemented by accessories, power electronics, and a patented Raft Power floating solar platform developed jointly with ARIMAR.

The company's business model centers on hardware sales of flexible solar panels through OEM partnerships, direct sales, and a global distributor/reseller network, with quote-based pricing and multi-year contracts available for custom OEM solutions. Revenue streams include standard panel sales across SP/SR/SX series, custom-manufactured panels for OEM integration with bespoke formats, voltages, and connection layouts, complementary accessories and electronic components (MPPT charge controllers, mounting hardware), and technical support services. Solbian's go-to-market combines an OEM-embedded motion (designing panels for integration into boats, vehicles, and off-grid systems by manufacturers) with enterprise field sales through regional distributors and direct technical consultation, targeting use cases such as ocean-crossing racing yachts, commercial ferries, military vessels, electric vehicles, camper vans, and Solar Decathlon competition houses.

Solbian's customer base spans professional marine operators (Energy Observer, IMOCA 60 Malizia II, Marina Militare Italiana), automotive OEMs and integrators (Renault Twizy kits via Lov ioù, VW T5 California conversions via C-Lover, REDS EV in China), and specialized applications including Solar Decathlon winners and ocean rowing expeditions. The company holds IEC 61215, IEC 61730, and IEC 61701 certifications, a 5-year warranty guaranteeing 90% power retention, and an Italian Gender Equality Certification from December 2024. Its independent 10-year field durability study demonstrated the lowest relative degradation among tested panels versus glass competitors, positioning Solbian as a domain specialist in flexible solar for demanding environments.

Name

Solbian Energie Alternative

Legal name

SOLBIAN ENERGIE ALTERNATIVE S.R.L.

Website

https://solbian.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Solbian Energie Alternative is an Italian private manufacturer of flexible solar panels using high-efficiency monocrystalline silicon cells with polymeric encapsulation, serving marine, automotive, and off-grid OEM customers globally with custom panel solutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Flexible Photovoltaic Solar Panels

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Solar PV Module & Cell Manufacturing (Crystalline, Thin-Film) (EUAMAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Distributed Generation (DG) Solar & Small Wind (EUAMAJAD), Solar Inverters, Power Electronics & MLPE (String/Central Inverters, Optimizers, Microinverters) (EUAMABAE), Renewable Manufacturing Materials & Subcomponents (Glass, EVA/Backsheet, Composites, Magnets) (EUAMAHAL)

Keywords

• Flexible solar panels
• Marine photovoltaic systems
• Automotive solar integration
• Off-grid solar power
• OEM solar manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Avigliana

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Flexible Solar Panels and Modules: Solbian generates revenue primarily through the manufacture and sale of flexible photovoltaic panels across multiple product series (SP, SR, SX, SunBender, SunBoard, ALLinONE). Panels are sold directly to OEMs, marine operators, automotive integrators, and off-grid customers through a combination of direct sales and distributor channels.
2. Custom Solar Panel Manufacturing for OEMs: Revenue generated from highly customized solar panel solutions designed for OEM integration, including custom formats, voltages, connection layouts, and engineering support for seamless integration into vehicles, vessels, and complex environments.
3. Solar Accessories and Components: Sale of complementary products including electrical and electronic components, charge controllers, mounting hardware, and installation accessories to support solar panel installations.
4. Technical Documentation and Support Services: Revenue from technical reports, installation manuals, datasheets, certifications, and warranties supporting product sales and ensuring proper installation and maintenance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Solbian designs and manufactures flexible photovoltaic solar panels for marine, automotive, and off-grid applications using proprietary Solbianflex technology—monocrystalline silicon cells encapsulated in polymeric materials rather than glass, achieving up to 25.9% energy conversion efficiency. The company offers multiple product series (SP, SR, SX, ALLinONE, SunBender, SunBoard, Energy Flyer) with custom formats, voltages, and connection layouts, plus integrated power electronics including MPPT charge controllers and Wi-Fi/web monitoring. Revenue is generated primarily through direct OEM partnerships and a global distributor network serving boat builders, vehicle integrators, and professional off-grid operators.

Product overview

Solbian Energie Alternative is a flexible solar panel manufacturer based in Italy, offering a portfolio of photovoltaic products designed for challenging environments in marine, automotive, and off-grid applications. The core product lines include the SP Series (using SunPower/Maxeon back-contact cells up to 25.9% efficiency), SR Series (Merlin Solar technology), and SX Series. The ALLinONE Solution 2.0 Connect represents the company's integrated approach, combining panels with embedded MPPT charge controllers and Wi-Fi monitoring. Supporting products include SunBender kits, SunBoard for marine lifelines, Energy Flyer for competitions, and various accessories and electronic components. The company emphasizes customization for OEM integration, with options for custom formats, voltages, and connection layouts. All panels use monocrystalline silicon cells encapsulated in polymeric materials, distinguishing them from traditional glass modules.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SP Series (SunPower/Maxeon) Solar Panels Flexible solar panel series using Maxeon back-contact monocrystalline cells with up to 25.9% energy conversion efficiency. Features high resilience to hail damage and minimal power degradation over time due to dense metallic contact networks on the cell back that maintain productivity even when damaged.
• SR Series Solar Panels Flexible solar panel series using Merlin Solar patented technology with rear metal grid and engineered front contact mask. Designed for high resilience to mechanical damage such as hail impacts without performance degradation.
• SX Series Solar Panels Flexible solar panel series with multi-busbar monocrystalline cells. Designed for demanding marine and mobile applications requiring durability and efficiency.
• ALLinONE Solution 2.0 Connect Integrated solar solution combining photovoltaic panels with embedded power electronics, Wi-Fi connectivity, and web interface for real-time monitoring and system diagnostics. Includes MPPT charge controller functionality for intelligent energy management.
• SunBender Solar Kit Complete solar kit using Maxeon back-contact cells. Includes panels, MPPT controller, and mounting hardware. Designed for easy installation on boats and vehicles.
• SunBoard Solar Module Rigid, lightweight, and slim solar module designed specifically for boat lifelines (railings). Revolutionary photovoltaic product for marine applications, 3mm thick, weighing 1.5kg, producing up to 200Wp.
• Energy Flyer Solar Panels Ultra-lightweight flexible solar panel series designed for solar competitions and high-performance applications where weight is critical.
• Raft Power Floating Solar Platform Patented portable floating solar platform combining Solbianflex flexible panels (10 panels, 400-500Wp) with ARIMAR inflatable raft technology. Deploys in under 2 minutes via electric or pedal inflater, transforming into a 4-square-meter floating solar platform for marine and emergency applications.
• Electric & Electronic Components Power electronics including MPPT charge controllers, data communication modules, and other electrical components for solar energy system integration and management.
• Solar Panel Accessories Supporting products including mounting hardware (eyelets, LOXX buttons), adhesive systems, charge controllers, cables, and junction boxes for system installation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Solar panels achieve up to 25.9% energy conversion efficiency using advanced monocrystalline cells
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers17 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

Integration4 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

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

• Maxeon Solar TechnologiescoreTechnology or Integration · 30 November 2023Maxeon Solar Technologies supplies high-efficiency back-contact solar cells used in Solbian's SP series panels. This partnership enables Solbian to leverage Maxeon's industry-leading cell technology featuring dense metallic contact networks on the cell back, providing superior damage resilience and sustained power output even when cells are physically damaged. Maxeon cells are cited as the best market solution for Solbian's demanding marine and mobile applications.
• Energy ObserverflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 May 2019Solbian is the Official Supplier of solar panels for Energy Observer, the hydrogen-powered vessel conducting a multi-year around-the-world scientific odyssey documenting the energy transition. Solbian panels power the vessel's systems throughout its global voyage, which was completed in September 2024. This partnership is a flagship reference demonstrating Solbian's capability in the most demanding marine conditions.
• Emilia 4 Solar Vehicle ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 June 2018Solbian supplied flexible solar panels for Emilia 4, the four-seater 100% solar-powered car developed in Italy, demonstrating the viability of integrated solar power for passenger vehicles.
• C-Lover Van SolutionsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 29 October 2013C-Lover Van Solutions of Vicenza, a vehicle conversion company, installs Solbian solar panels on camper vans including Volkswagen T5 California. The installer promotes Solbian as a high-quality product to their customer base.
• SabicminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 14 August 2013Sabic collaborated with Team Sweden on the Halo project at Solar Decathlon China 2013, where Solbian panels were installed. Sabic was responsible for grid-connected installations as part of the sustainable building project.
• Lov ioùminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 February 2013French company Lov ioù, which tested and offered the Renault Twizy for rental, partnered with Solbian to develop a custom 75W photovoltaic kit for the electric vehicle. Solbian designed and supplied the SP75 panel with wiring and MPPT charge controller.
• ARIMAR Divisione GonfiabilicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 November 2012Joint development of the Raft Power floating solar platform combining Solbianflex photovoltaic modules with ARIMAR's pneumatic support technology. This patented product deploys rapidly to provide 400-500Wp from a floating platform for marine and emergency applications.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Maxeon Solar Technologies: Maxeon (formerly SunPower) is both a cell supplier to Solbian and a direct competitor in high-efficiency back-contact crystalline silicon PV. Both companies serve premium residential, marine, and OEM applications with high-efficiency monocrystalline technology, and overlap on cell architecture and customer segments.
• PowerFilm Solar: PowerFilm manufactures flexible amorphous-silicon and thin-film solar panels for marine, military, and off-grid applications. It competes head-to-head with Solbian in flexible, lightweight PV for demanding environments and shares OEM integration use cases.
• MiaSolé (Hanergy): MiaSolé produces flexible copper-indium-gallium-selenide (CIGS) thin-film solar modules for rooftop, automotive, and portable applications. It is a direct competitor in flexible PV modules, particularly targeting transportation and building-integrated markets similar to Solbian's beyond segment.
• Flisom: Flisom (a former Flisom AG, now part of EMPA/spin-off activities) develops roll-to-roll flexible CIGS solar modules for BIPV, transport, and portable applications. It competes with Solbian in the flexible, lightweight PV segment using a different cell chemistry but the same form-factor advantage.
• Sunflare Solar: Sunflare manufactures flexible CIGS solar panels for transportation, rooftops, and industrial IoT applications. It competes directly with Solbian in vehicle-integrated and lightweight flexible PV, with overlapping automotive and off-grid customer profiles.

Broad incumbents

• Renogy: Renogy is a much larger off-grid and mobile solar provider selling rigid and flexible panels plus balance-of-system components through retail and B2B channels. It overlaps with Solbian in flexible panel SKUs for marine/RV/automotive but operates at substantially greater scale and a broader product portfolio.

Others

• Victron Energy: Victron is a leading manufacturer of MPPT charge controllers, inverters, and battery systems that integrate with Solbian panels. It is an adjacent ecosystem player — Solbian panels are commonly paired with Victron electronics — and a partial competitive threat in system-level marine/off-grid energy solutions.

Regional players

• Eco Marine Power: Eco Marine Power develops integrated renewable energy systems for ships (Aquarius MAS) and integrates Solbian flexible panels into commercial-vessel deployments such as Blue Star Delos. It is both a customer/partner and a partial competitor in marine solar system integration.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks2 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/solbianflex
• Facebookfacebook.com/solbianea
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/solbian-energie-alternative-srl

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Solbian Energie Alternative