What does Solestial do?
Solestial is focused on delivering abundant energy in space through advanced silicon solar cells engineered to self-cure radiation damage. Their ultrathin, low-mass solar modules are designed to withstand harsh space environments for up to 10 years.
How much did they raise?
The company raised $17M in its Series A round, led by AE Ventures with participation from Crosscut Ventures, Zeon Ventures, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation’s ME Innovation Fund, Airbus Ventures, General Purpose Venture Capital, Industrious Ventures, Stellar Ventures, and Techstars.
What are their plans for the money?
The funds will be used to expand manufacturing capacity to 1 megawatt per year, a benchmark comparable to the combined annual output of all US and EU III-V space solar companies, potentially revolutionizing solar energy supply for space applications.
What have they achieved so far?
Solestial has already developed innovative solar modules capable of self-healing from radiation damage at low temperatures, using automated production methods that significantly reduce costs compared to traditional III-V multijunction solar products. The appointment of a new CEO further underscores the company’s commitment to technological advancement and operational scalability.
