Voltiris develops colour-optimized photovoltaic modules that convert greenhouses into renewable powerplants by filtering light so plants receive needed wavelengths while other components are reflected onto photovoltaics. Its spectral filtering technology reduces greenhouses' dependence on gas and the electricity grid and cuts CO2 emissions without reducing crop yields. The company has already installed roughly 400 modules across 12 projects in five countries. Voltiris plans to use a CHF 500,000 Tech Growth loan from the Foundation for Technological Innovation (FIT) to further industrialize its solution and execute a commercialisation plan with flagship projects in Switzerland and the Netherlands. If installed across all Swiss greenhouses the technology could save CO2 emissions equivalent to 18,000 households. The FIT loan is intended to accelerate industrialization and the rollout of commercial installations. Voltiris develops the first solar modules designed to be installed inside existing greenhouses; their spectral-filtering panels direct essential light to crops while converting unused light into renewable energy. The modules maintain crop yields, support behind-the-meter consumption, integrate with existing greenhouse infrastructure, and require no special permits. The company received an initial 12 months of Biopôle Start-up funding, which provides visibility, recognition, financial backing, coaching, and supplementary services. Voltiris will allocate a significant portion of the funds to procure advanced tools to further its expertise in plant photobiology. The startup is scaling a pipeline of projects in Switzerland, the Netherlands, and France and is preparing a CHF 3 million seed round to power up commercial activities. Voltiris builds solar modules that allow a double use of greenhouse land by producing electricity while maintaining crop yields beneath the panels. Its modules do not require installation permits, which accelerates deployment and adoption. The start-up raised CHF 1.4M in a Pre-Seed round to accelerate development and commercialisation, expand commercial pilots, prepare for industrial production, and add key team competencies. In early 2023 Voltiris will commence multiple solar projects with tomato and flower growers in Switzerland and the Netherlands. It will also run a one-year agronomical tomato study with Wageningen University at its Bleiswijk testing facilities. These projects are intended to scale through 2023 and lead to full-scale commercialization in 2024. Voltiris has developed colour-optimized, greenhouse-compatible photovoltaic modules and a self-developed sun-tracking system that let through the red and blue light plants need while reflecting green and near-infrared to photovoltaic cells to generate electricity. The company says this approach produces renewable energy without impacting agricultural yield and delivers a competitive cost of energy and strong ROI for growers. A three-person team supported by a broad advisory network is conducting live pilots in collaboration with HES‑SO and Agroscope. Voltiris has submitted two patents covering high photovoltaic yield and solar tracking. The company received CHF180,000 of support from Innosuisse, HES‑SO and Agroscope for an agronomical study and a CHF100,000 Tech Seed loan from the Foundation for Technological Innovation (FIT) to fund ongoing pilots. Using the FIT loan, Voltiris plans to prepare industrialization, execute larger-scale pilot projects and complete technical development to unlock customer access, then begin commercialization with selected partners in Switzerland and the Netherlands before expanding globally.

Total raised

$2M

Funding rounds

4

Latest round

Debt Financing

Latest activity

Apr 2024