BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – A Vermont solar energy company is on the cusp of selling panels they say will transform the game.
On top of the Burlington City Arts building is a solar array like no other. It’s incredibly light and highly efficient, and its creators say it’s the next generation of solar.
It was post-doctorate energy research at the university of Vermont that inspired Chad Miller to enter the solar industry.
“I got caught up in this, and now there’s no way I’m giving up,” said Miller.
In 2022, Miller and a UVM physics professor created Verde Technologies. The Burlington-based company develops solar panels they say are more efficient, more affordable, and ten times lighter than other panels.
“We’re doing kind of what’s going to be the next generation of solar,” said Miller.
Unlike standard silicone panels, Verde’s are made with perovskite, which is a low-production cost, high-performance family of materials.
The Verde team uses a low-emission process called meniscus deposition to create extremely thin layers of perovskite. They laminate them to create a cell and connect them to create a panel.
“This is super exciting as we are really looking into a very innovative, portable type of technology,” said Vivek Babu of Verde.
Because Verde uses a peel-and-stick installation method, setup is more accessible and affordable than standard cement or steel materials. The team dreams of eventually scaling up to expand their solar across cities everywhere.
“You can really integrate onto the free spaces that are available, onto the buildings, onto the car, so this can be seamlessly integrated,” said Babu.
Verde recently expanded beyond their small UVM research lab, moving into their first pilot manufacturing facility in Waterbury Center. They hope to get panels on the market in a year and a half or so – and Miller is eager to make an impact.
“Solar is arguably the best answer for that, and this is the best way to do solar,” he said.
While Verde’s price point is slightly higher than traditional panels, Miller says cheap installation makes them an affordable choice overall.