Voltiris has developed the first photovoltaic modules specifically designed for glass greenhouses. The modules enable double-land use of greenhouse surfaces to generate electricity without impacting the normal growth of crops.
Greenhouse growers increase their energy independence, improve profitability, and significantly reduce their carbon footprint. At a societal level, the double-land use accelerates the deployment of renewable energy while preserving biodiversity.
Recent steep energy price increases have hit greenhouse growers impacting production. Voltiris enables them to make double use of their land, helping enhance energy independence, increase profitability, and improve sustainability. Crucially, the Vaud-based company’s solar modules do not require installation permits, accelerating deployment and the use of renewable energy.
After receiving funding from the FIT in May 2022, the start-up has raised CHF 1.4 million in a pre-seed round led by renowned Swiss investors Serpentine Ventures, Business Angels Switzerland and SICTIC, in addition to getting support from the Swiss Climate Foundation. The new funds will be used to accelerate the development and commercialization by expanding commercial pilots, setting the ground for industrial production, and adding key competencies to the existing team.
A major breakthrough in tackling climate change
“Voltiris has developed a unique solution for greenhouse growers that not only helps save energy but increases the resilience of our food system. This is a major breakthrough, one of the many we will need to tackle climate change. I am very impressed by the Voltiris leadership and team, and confident of their capacity to deliver on this ambitious vision” said Ivo Petrov, member of Business Angels Switzerland and advisor at AgFunder.
Voltiris plans to begin several solar energy projects with tomato and flower growers in Switzerland and the Netherlands in early 2023. These projects will gradually increase in size throughout the year. Additionally, Voltiris will partner with the University of Wageningen, a renowned horticulture research institution, to conduct a one-year agronomical study on tomato crops at their testing facilities in Bleiswijk, Netherlands. These initiatives will pave the way for the full-scale commercialization of Voltiris’ solution in 2024.
