Gartner highlights its ‘Cool Vendor’ solar start-ups

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

In its “Cool Vendors in Solar Energy, 2010” report, Gartner highlights some of the solar energy start-ups to keep an eye on that it believes are developing technologies and innovations that will likely have a strong impact on the adoption of solar energy. Companies included in the review include, Applied Quantum Technology, BrightView Systems, Confluence Solar, Innovalight and Solexant.

Gartner noted that innovation remains strong in the PV industry, although venture funding is somewhat limited in comparison with two or three years ago.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

A key hurdle for start-up’s is to overcome the lack of project finance for solar installation projects as finance requirements have turned to the ‘bankability’ of projects, which dictate the use of previously used and known vendors and products.

According to the market research firm, vendors in the Cool Vendors report are developing innovations that have the potential to dramatically lower the cost of PV solar energy, if they can surmount the bankability barrier. This has become a key focus of start-ups since the collapse in average selling prices that occurred during 2009.

Read Next

May 25, 2026
Mining giant Fortescue has begun construction on the 690MW Turner River solar PV power plant in Western Australia's Pilbara region.
May 25, 2026
Australia's CIS Tender 7 has seen 19 successful projects, which will deliver 7.8GW of renewable energy generation across the NEM.
Premium
May 22, 2026
As trade dynamics shift, could the EU become the next big market for Indian solar suppliers? PV Tech Premium explores the outlook with Wood Mackenzie’s Yana Hryshko and IEEFA’s Charith Konda.
Premium
May 22, 2026
PV Talk: Frank Oudheusden explains how robotics could create a paradigm shift and improvements in PV system optimisation for extreme weather.
May 22, 2026
The planned merger of US utilities NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy should be met with “caution” by state lawmakers, according to a number of US clean energy and political non-profit groups.
May 22, 2026
Polar Racking has launched a Solar Asset Management Division to support operations and maintenance (O&M) activities across utility-scale and commercial solar projects in North America and the Caribbean. 

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Webinars
May 27, 2026
9am BST / 10am CEST
Upcoming Webinars
May 27, 2026
9am BST / 10am CEST
Media Partners, Solar Media Events
June 2, 2026
Johannesburg, South Africa
Media Partners, Solar Media Events
June 3, 2026
National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai)
Solar Media Events
June 16, 2026
Napa, USA