How This Startup Making Solar Panels Lighter, Smarter, and Easier to Install
Pavakah Energy has developed a solar thin-film that turns almost any surface walls, roofs, or glass into a source of clean energy.
Despite growing awareness around sustainability, energy-efficient solutions continue to be expensive and difficult to implement. Pavakah Energy seeks to close this gap by enabling smarter, more accessible, and independent energy consumption through its innovative solar thin-film technology.
In 2022, Vikram Bakaraju and Kapardhi Bharadwaj founded the startup at IIT Hyderabad to tackle the centralisation of energy, where generation and distribution remain controlled by a few large sources such as coal, hydro, gas, or conventional solar plants. Power is then transmitted over long distances through grids to homes, offices, and industries. “There is a pressing need for technology that is affordable, reliable, clean, and user-centric,” Bharadwaj says.
Co-founder and CEO Bakaraju leads product development and R&D. He brings 12 years of experience in experimental physics, primarily in optoelectronics, and holds an MSc in Nanoscience from Swansea University. Bharadwaj, Co-founder and COO, has 13 years of experience in the energy and public policy sector along with an MBA in Energy Management.
Solar Thin-Film Innovation
Pavakah Energy has developed a solar thin film that can be applied like wallpaper on almost any surface plastic, glass, or other materials. The innovation offers dual functionality: it generates solar power from incident light while reflecting UV and IR radiation, creating a passive cooling effect that reduces indoor temperatures by 3–5 degrees Celsius below outdoor levels.
The film is lightweight, weighing less than 1 kg per square metre. “This is less than conventional thin-film silicon wafers that weigh around 6–7 kg/m², which makes it perfect for walls and structures that cannot support heavy panels,” Bharadwaj says. Pavakah Energy’s film uses a simplified installation process that eliminates the need for drilling, mounting, or major infrastructure modifications. This enables the technology to be applied to vertical walls, slanted roofs, and other structures with limited load-bearing capacity.
The photovoltaic film uses abundantly available materials to avoid rare-earth dependencies: titanium dioxide (TiO₂), commonly used in cosmetics and food-grade packaging, and PEDOT:PSS, a conductive polymer found in OLED and LED screens. The films are produced using inkjet and screen printing techniques under normal environmental conditions, lowering both production costs and energy use.
The film’s current efficiency stands at 7%, with targets of 10% by year-end, 20% within 12 months, and 25% within 24 months matching conventional silicon panels that typically achieve 20–24%. Pavakah Energy has also built a custom solar charge controller for easy integration with standard solar inverters and developed a simulation tool that customises film placement based on a surface’s potential for capturing sunlight and heat accumulation patterns.
By turning ordinary building surfaces into generators, the technology expands access to clean energy beyond traditional rooftop installations.
Competitors, Clients, and Funding
The startup follows a B2B2C model. It manufactures the solar film and supplies it to Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) partners who handle installation for end clients. “Because this is a first-of-its-kind technology, we initially engage directly with customers to conduct pilot projects and prove performance before scaling full commercial installations through EPC partners,” Bharadwaj explains.
Pavakah Energy primarily targets commercial buildings, office complexes, and warehouses, especially those pursuing green certifications. The startup competes with Apollo Power from Israel, Kardinia Energy from Australia, and Indian players such as Waaree Energies and ART-PV India.
Pavakah Energy has raised ₹1.62 crore in pre-seed funding from Aar Em Ventures, US-based Wilbe Capital, Dholakia Ventures, and the Startup India Seed Fund. The company is currently in the pre-revenue stage and expects to begin generating revenue by November. It was selected for the Brigade REAP Accelerator Programme and is conducting a commercial pilot project with Brigade Group at the World Trade Centre in Bengaluru.
These early deployments are helping demonstrate that lightweight, printable solar films can serve as a practical pathway to decentralised clean energy.
The Roadmap Ahead
Pavakah Energy’s future plans include building a strong presence in building-integrated and vehicle-integrated photovoltaics. One near-term application involves installing its lightweight solar films on medium and large-sized trucks to power on-board electrical systems. The startup is also developing photon-rechargeable batteries that store energy directly from sunlight, bypassing the grid; this technology remains in the R&D stage.
The company plans to expand beyond India into South and Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa. “The long-term goal is to standardise Pavakah Energy’s solar thin films globally as a cost-efficient, clean-tech energy solution,” Bharadwaj adds.
By simplifying installation and reducing structural requirements, the technology aims to lower barriers that have historically limited the adoption of solar power on many commercial and industrial buildings. In markets where rooftop space is limited or load-bearing capacity is constrained, wall-mounted and surface-applied films could unlock significant new capacity for clean energy generation.
Why Accessibility Matters
Centralised power systems have delivered scale but often at the cost of transmission losses, infrastructure intensity, and limited user control. Technologies that allow buildings and vehicles to generate power locally can complement the grid while giving owners greater energy independence. Pavakah Energy’s emphasis on low weight, simple application, and common materials is designed to address practical constraints that have slowed the spread of building-integrated photovoltaics.
If the company achieves its efficiency roadmap moving from the current 7% toward 20–25%—the films could become competitive with conventional panels on a performance basis while retaining clear advantages in form factor and installation ease. Success in the Brigade pilot and subsequent commercial projects will be important proof points for both customers and future investors.
FAQ
Q: What is unique about Pavakah Energy’s solar thin film?
A: It can be applied like wallpaper to walls, roofs, glass, and other surfaces, generates power, and provides passive cooling by reflecting UV and IR radiation.
Q: How heavy is the film?
A: It weighs less than 1 kg per square metre, significantly lighter than conventional thin-film silicon wafers that weigh around 6–7 kg/m².
Q: What materials does the film use?
A: It uses titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and PEDOT:PSS, both widely available materials, avoiding dependence on rare-earth elements.
Q: What is the current efficiency and future target?
A: Current efficiency is 7%. The company aims for 10% by year-end, 20% within 12 months, and 25% within 24 months.
Q: Who are the target customers?
A: Commercial buildings, office complexes, and warehouses, particularly those seeking green certifications, with installations handled through EPC partners.