Active Surfaces Outdoor Field test @ Greentown Labs
Active Surfaces Demonstrates Flexible Solar Technology in First Outdoor Field Test
Somerville, MA – Active Surfaces, a pioneering innovator in flexible solar technology, has reached a major milestone by successfully demonstrating its ultra-lightweight, rollable solar modules in real-world conditions at Greentown Labs’ rooftop testing facility. This achievement marks a critical step toward commercialization, as the company continues to refine its technology and prepare for pilot projects with commercial and industrial partners.
A Breakthrough for Solar in the Built Environment:
Active Surfaces is solving a fundamental challenge in solar deployment: most commercial and industrial rooftops were not designed for traditional, rigid solar panels due to weight and installation constraints. The company’s ultra-lightweight, flexible modules are more than 10 times lighter than conventional panels and can be installed rapidly without major structural upgrades. This enables solar adoption in previously inaccessible locations, unlocking vast untapped markets in the built environment.
The demonstration at Greentown Labs was made possible through partnerships with leading climate-tech organizations and corporate collaborators. The rooftop field test builds on Active Surfaces’ rapid progress since opening its manufacturing research facility in Woburn, MA, in late 2024.
“Seeing our solar modules deployed outside the lab in real-world conditions is a critical milestone,” said Dusty Stahl, Director of Business Development at Active Surfaces. “This hands-on validation helps customers understand the tangible benefits of our technology and accelerates adoption.”
Accelerating Deployment Through Strategic Partnerships
Active Surfaces has been an active member of Greentown Labs, initially joining as part of the inaugural cohort of ACCEL—an accelerator from Greentown and Browning the Green Space supporting BIPOC-led startups. The company later participated in Greentown Go Build 2023, a startup-corporate accelerator with Saint-Gobain, where it conducted integration tests at Saint-Gobain’s North American R&D headquarters to refine adhesion methods for its ultra-lightweight solar modules.
“Active Surfaces has demonstrated remarkable progress in a short period,” said Joubin Hatamzadeh, COO of Greentown Labs. “Their first outdoor field test represents a critical step in validating their technology and moving toward large-scale deployment. Greentown is proud to support startups like Active Surfaces that are pushing the boundaries of climate innovation.”
Pengxin Dong, Investment Manager at Sabanci Climate Ventures, which is both a Greentown Terawatt Partner and an investor in Active Surfaces, echoed the importance of such initiatives: “Bridging the lab-to-market gap is critical. Greentown plays an essential role in helping companies like Active Surfaces test, validate, and commercialize game-changing clean energy technologies.”
About Active Surfaces
Active Surfaces, spun out from MIT.nano, is a leader in developing flexible, high-efficiency solar technology designed for integration into a variety of surfaces. The company’s unique rollable solar technology simplifies deployment, reduces costs, and improves the efficiency of solar installations - especially for the built environment. With accolades including first-place wins at the MIT 100K, Harvard Climate Symposium, and features on Forbes 30u30 and TedX, Active Surfaces is leading the charge in solar innovation.