SolPad: Is this the game changing solar product?

September 22, 2016
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
SolPad's design uses a breakthrough unibody enclosure that houses solar power generation, energy storage and communication together as one fully integrated product.

A US-based start-up SunCulture Solar has come out of stealth mode and launched a potentially game-changing fully-integrated residential and off-grid solar system that really is ‘plug and play.’

‘SolPad’ combines multiple patented technologies into a single device, including breakthrough solid-state battery technology, an innovative inverter system and intelligent software to enable complete energy management of a residential home.

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 new PV Tech product review can be read here but a video link here or watch below is probably the best way to get to grips with what SunCulture Solar has achieved as there has simply never been a product like this to hit the market…not even close. 

Part of the reason why I say this is that on my brief summer vacation in San Francisco, ahead of Intersolar North America in July, I was invited to meet the people behind SunCulture Solar, such as Christopher Estes, CEO and Chief Product Architect. 

I found out that I was the only journalist that been invited to see and play with the portable SolPad product offering and have since struggled to fully explain to myself what these products mean to the solar industry and how many applications the portable SolPad has?

SolPad has two universal outlets that output grid-quality, pure sine wave AC power. It includes three fast-charging USB ports that provide unlimited smartphone charging when in direct sunlight.

Hence why I suggest watching the video first as there is a lot of technology, features and design elements unique to these products to get your head around first. To be honest I watched the video several times and although well aware of what it does remains amazing to behold. 

Like all good start-ups and things like the ‘valley of death’ which entailed bringing a great design into volume manufacturing with lots of money and burning through that money before getting established do spring to mind but as a fabless company that should be averted. 

SunCulture Solar has the potential to be a game changer, the technology is disruptive and the design of both products simply sublime. Hats of to Christopher and the impressive team and let us see what happens next. 

Read Next

November 5, 2025
IPP Sol Systems has selected Solv Energy as the EPC services provider for a 209MW solar PV plant in Texas, US. 
Sponsored
November 5, 2025
PV Tech spoke with Symons Xie, general manager of Anker SOLIX APAC, at All-Energy Australia 2025, where the organisation outlined its strategy for establishing a major presence in Australia's rapidly growing home battery and energy storage market.
November 3, 2025
Dr KT Tan, CTO at Viridian Solar, chronicles how the expansion of solar raises questions about supply chain transparency and ethical sourcing.
October 28, 2025
GoldenPeaks Capital secures EUR114 million (US$132 million) financing package for two solar PV Portfolio in Poland.
October 27, 2025
Waaree Energies has secured four solar module supply contracts totalling 692MW – three for projects in India and one in the US through its subsidiary.
October 27, 2025
Premier Energies has acquired a 51% stake each in transformer maker Transcon and inverter producer KSolare Energy. 

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Webinars
November 12, 2025
10am PST / 1pm EST
Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
December 2, 2025
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK
Solar Media Events
March 10, 2026
Frankfurt, Germany