SoloPower Systems
American solar technology and manufacturing company associated with lightweight, flexible CIGS thin-film solar panels.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
SoloPower Systems was a United States solar technology and manufacturing company focused on lightweight, flexible thin-film photovoltaic modules based on copper indium gallium selenide, commonly abbreviated as CIGS. Its technology originated with SoloPower Inc., a San Jose company founded in 2005 by Bulent Basol and Homayoun Talieh. The original business developed a manufacturing approach that combined flexible solar substrates with an electroplating process intended to use nearly all of the constituent materials in the production of CIGS cells. The resulting modules were positioned for applications where conventional rigid crystalline-silicon panels were difficult to install because of roof loading, curvature, portability, or other structural constraints. The company’s development program progressed from a pilot manufacturing line launched in December 2005 toward a planned high-volume facility in Portland, Oregon. In February 2011, the United States Department of Energy conditionally approved a $197 million federal loan guarantee for construction and equipment at the Portland plant. Although the facility was completed in early 2013, the company ultimately chose to pursue private financing rather than draw on the public loan guarantee. SoloPower’s technology received industry recognition during 2012. Its flexible CIGS panels became the first products in that category to obtain both UL and IEC certification, and a SoloPower module achieved a reported 13.4% aperture efficiency world record for flexible CIGS photovoltaic panels in testing measured by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The technology also won a 2012 TiE50 award in the renewable-energy category. The business encountered severe commercial pressure as solar markets changed. In April 2013, SoloPower Inc. announced plans to close its San Jose pilot plant and temporarily suspend operations at the Portland facility. The company attributed the difficulties to a sharp deterioration in market conditions, including reduced government investment and competition from lower-cost foreign manufacturers. In July 2013, major creditors transferred the SoloPower technology to a newly named entity, SoloPower Systems Inc., with an announced intention to resume commercial production in 2014. The available reference material does not establish whether that planned restart occurred, whether the company remains operational, or whether the brand has subsequently been acquired or discontinued. The Oregon Department of Energy was reported to have paid $641,835 in rent connected with the Oregon facility in 2017, indicating that the site and related obligations remained relevant after the 2013 restructuring.
History
SoloPower’s technology was developed by SoloPower Inc., founded in San Jose, California, in 2005 by Bulent Basol and Homayoun Talieh. The company began operating a pilot production line in December of that year. Its core product concept was a flexible CIGS photovoltaic module, intended to provide solar generation with substantially less weight and greater physical adaptability than conventional rigid panels. The company also promoted an electroplating-based manufacturing process designed to use nearly 100% of its materials in forming the CIGS cells. The company sought to move from pilot production to industrial scale. In February 2011, the U.S. Department of Energy conditionally approved a $197 million federal loan guarantee for a planned high-volume manufacturing facility in Portland, Oregon. The Portland plant was completed in early 2013, but SoloPower chose to seek private financing for the project instead of relying on the approved public loan guarantee. During this development period, the company’s products achieved several technical and commercial milestones. In 2012, SoloPower panels reportedly became the first flexible CIGS panels to obtain both UL and IEC certification. In March of the same year, a SoloPower module reached a reported 13.4% aperture efficiency, described as a world record for flexible CIGS panels in testing conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The company’s technology was also recognized with a TiE50 renewable-energy award in May 2012. The company’s expansion plans were undermined by a difficult solar-market environment. In April 2013, SoloPower Inc. announced the planned closure of its San Jose pilot plant and a temporary suspension of activity at the Portland site. The cited pressures included declining government investment in the sector and intense price competition from lower-cost foreign producers. In July 2013, major creditors transferred the SoloPower technology to a new entity called SoloPower Systems Inc. The new company was described as intending to restart commercial production in the summer of 2014. The available account does not confirm whether commercial production resumed as planned or provide a definitive later operating status. It does report that the Oregon Department of Energy paid $641,835 in rent related to the Oregon facility in 2017. SoloPower Systems is therefore best documented as the successor entity associated with the SoloPower flexible-CIGS technology, while its current ownership, management, production activity, and market presence remain unresolved in the supplied sources.
- 2013
Portland plant is completed but operations are suspended
[1]After completion of the Portland facility, SoloPower announced the closure of its San Jose pilot plant and a temporary suspension of Portland operations amid difficult market conditions.
- 2013
Technology transferred to SoloPower Systems Inc.
[1]Major creditors transferred the technology to the newly named SoloPower Systems Inc., which planned to pursue commercial production.
- 2012
Flexible CIGS panels achieve certifications and efficiency recognition
[1]SoloPower panels reportedly obtained both UL and IEC certification, while a module achieved a reported 13.4% aperture-efficiency record for flexible CIGS panels in NREL measurements.
- 2012
SoloPower technology receives a TiE50 award
[1]The company’s technology was recognized as a TiE50 winner in the renewable-energy category.
- 2011
Conditional federal loan guarantee approved
[1]The U.S. Department of Energy conditionally approved a $197 million loan guarantee to support a planned high-volume manufacturing plant in Portland, Oregon.
- 2005
SoloPower Inc. is founded and begins pilot manufacturing
[1]Bulent Basol and Homayoun Talieh founded SoloPower Inc. in San Jose, California. The company began operating a pilot manufacturing line for its flexible CIGS solar panels in December.
Products and positioning
Lightweight and flexible thin-film photovoltaics designed as an alternative to conventional rigid solar modules, with emphasis on flexible form factors, lower installation weight, and material-efficient CIGS manufacturing.
Flexible thin-film photovoltaic modules
SoloPower flexible CIGS solar panels
Lightweight solar modules based on copper indium gallium selenide thin-film cells. Their flexible construction was intended for installations where rigid crystalline-silicon panels could create structural, transport, or design limitations. The technology was associated with an electroplating process designed to use nearly all of the materials involved in cell manufacturing. The panels reportedly obtained both UL and IEC certification in 2012.
Brand decisions
2013
Suspend operations and close the San Jose pilot facilityStrategyBackground
SoloPower faced weaker solar-market conditions, reduced government investment, and competition from lower-cost foreign manufacturers.
Action taken
SoloPower Inc. announced plans to close its San Jose pilot plant and temporarily suspend operations at the Portland facility.
Aftermath
In July 2013, major creditors transferred the technology to SoloPower Systems Inc., which stated an intention to pursue commercial production.
2013
Creditors transfer the SoloPower technology to a successor entityM&ABackground
The original SoloPower business had suspended or reduced operations during a period of market and financing pressure.
Action taken
Major creditors transferred the SoloPower technology to a newly named company, SoloPower Systems Inc.
Aftermath
The successor entity was described as planning commercial production in 2014, but the supplied sources do not confirm whether that plan was completed.
Recent events
- 2017
Oregon Department of Energy pays rent associated with the SoloPower facility[1]
Other
The Oregon Department of Energy was reported to have paid $641,835 in rent connected with the company’s Oregon facility.
- 2013
SoloPower announces closure of its San Jose pilot plant and suspension of Portland operations[1]
Bankruptcy
SoloPower Inc. announced plans to close its pilot facility in San Jose and temporarily suspend operations at its Portland plant amid weaker market conditions, reduced government investment, and competition from low-cost foreign producers.
- 2013
Creditors transfer SoloPower technology to SoloPower Systems Inc.[1]
M&A
Major creditors transferred the SoloPower technology to a newly named company, SoloPower Systems Inc., which was expected to pursue commercial production.
- 2012
SoloPower flexible CIGS panels receive UL and IEC certification[1]
Other
SoloPower reported that its flexible CIGS panels became the first products in that category to receive both UL and IEC certification.
- 2012
SoloPower technology records a flexible CIGS efficiency milestone[1]
Other
A SoloPower module was reported to have achieved a 13.4% aperture-efficiency world record for flexible CIGS solar panels in measurements by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
- 2012
SoloPower wins a TiE50 renewable-energy award[1]
Other
SoloPower technology was announced as a winner of the TiE50 award in the renewable-energy category.
- 2011
U.S. Department of Energy conditionally approves a $197 million loan guarantee for SoloPower[1]
Other
The Department of Energy conditionally approved a federal loan guarantee intended to support construction and equipment for SoloPower’s planned high-volume photovoltaic manufacturing plant in Portland, Oregon.
Sources1 sources
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