Beamreach Solar

Originally incorporated as Solexel in 2007, the Milpitas, California-based company rebranded to Beamreach Solar in 2016. The firm focused on developing and manufacturing high-efficiency, low-cost crystalline silicon solar cells and modules for residential, commercial, and industrial applications. Over its lifetime, Beamreach Solar secured significant funding, accumulating over $215 million from a pool of 23 investors, including prominent names like Technology Partners, DAG Ventures, Northgate Capital, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, and Riyadh Valley Company.

The company's initial technological focus was on creating very thin monocrystalline silicon solar cells, as thin as 35 microns, using a proprietary lift-off technique. This method aimed to drastically reduce silicon consumption compared to conventional wafering processes. The company achieved a notable milestone by hitting a 21.2% NREL-certified cell efficiency in 2014 with its back-contact cell design. In a strategic pivot in 2016 under the new leadership of CEO Mark Kerstens, the company shifted its go-to-market strategy to address installation costs, which represent a significant portion of a solar system's total expense.

This pivot resulted in the launch of its flagship product, 'Sprint', a lightweight, integrated solar panel and racking system designed for flat commercial roofs. The Sprint system was engineered for rapid, tool-free installation, adhering directly to the roof surface without penetrations or ballasts, which could be up to five times faster than conventional methods. Weighing significantly less than traditional systems, Sprint was designed to make solar power accessible to commercial buildings whose roofs could not support the weight of conventional PV panels. Initially, the Sprint system used solar cells sourced from third-party manufacturers, with the plan to eventually integrate its own high-efficiency cell technology.

Despite its technological achievements and substantial funding, Beamreach Solar faced financial difficulties. In early 2017, the company filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and ceased operations. The market pressure from the rapidly falling costs of conventional solar modules, which reached as low as 30 cents per watt, created an insurmountable challenge for the company's business model. Following the bankruptcy, the company's extensive intellectual property portfolio, which included over 345 patent assets, was sold off. These assets covered technologies from thin-wafer growth and back-contact cells to the integrated Sprint system and attracted interest from various sectors, including automotive and building materials.

Keywords: Solexel, lightweight solar panels, commercial rooftop solar, crystalline silicon, back-contact solar cells, PV module manufacturing, Sprint solar system, venture capital, solar technology, thin silicon, intellectual property, solar installation, alternative energy equipment, renewable energy, Mark Kerstens, bankruptcy, asset sale, PV technology, Milpitas, clean energy