A large part of the energy produced by a typical rooftop solar photovoltaic is exported to the grid. In return, owners of such systems receive monetary credit at feed-in tariff rate that is declining year on year.
Brighter Energy solves this problem by turning on equipment whenever there is excess solar power available. Our wireless IoT controllers/sensors are designed to operate without user intervention. However, our mobile app allows customers to override any automated function remotely.
Brighter Energy distinguishes itself from its competitors in three major ways. First, its solution is uniquely designed to be ready out of the box, specifically tailored to integrate with solar and energy storage systems while maximizing end users’ auto-consumption. Although it might be possible to jury-rig an approximation using off-the-shelf products and IFTTT-like web-based algorithms, Brighter Energy consistently delivers this capability at a competitive price point, all without requiring users to become coders or IoT experts.
Secondly, the company has engineered its solution to be hardware agnostic, ensuring seamless compatibility with both existing and new solar photovoltaic systems. The installation process has been streamlined to provide a near DIY experience, with all system components operating wirelessly and the setup managed directly via a mobile app. Finally, Brighter Energy’s business model leverages solar photovoltaic contractors as its primary channel, allowing these partners to differentiate themselves in the marketplace while also generating an additional income stream by revisiting old installations and offering the Brighter Energy solution.
There is a big proportion of solar photovoltaic systems that are subject to feed-in tariffs or zero-export regimes. Owners of such systems see their return on investment suffer.
Until now, these owners had 2 options if they wanted to improve their financial returns:
Brighter Energy resolves the impracticality of both these options. Our IoT solution optimizes the usage of solar photovoltaic systems by automatically turning equipment on/off when excess energy is produced. This minimizes the energy being exported to the grid and displaces mains electricity usage.
With our solution, customers can make additional savings on their overall electricity consumption. This is achieved by limiting the air conditioning and domestic hot water temperatures and scheduling/restricting the run of energy-hungry equipment.
The company demonstrates innovation by focusing on the problem of excess solar energy production, regardless of the specific solar photovoltaic system involved. Its IoT hardware detects additional power availability from the solar system and activates equipment based on user-set priorities—such as turning on an electric water heater when sufficient solar power is available. Users also have the option to override any automated setting at any time via the mobile app.
The technology is designed for effortless deployment and operation, with all components being wireless and installable within a couple of hours. The system works immediately out of the box, requiring no user intervention, which enhances its appeal to a wide range of users.
An added benefit of the solution is its ability to reduce overall electricity consumption by optimizing indoor air and domestic water temperatures away from extreme values and restricting the operation of energy-hungry equipment to off-peak utility rate hours. Additionally, the company employs a novel approach to reach end-users by partnering with solar contractors who offer the solution to both new and existing customers.
The company’s primary target markets include Belgium, Canada, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom—regions where the solar market is experiencing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17%. Between now and 2026, these countries are projected to see approximately 100,000 new solar installations per year, presenting a potential market opportunity valued at USD 50 million annually. This estimate does not account for retrofitting sales, despite the existing market comprising 440,000 solar installations, which represents an additional untapped potential of USD 220 million.
To estimate the addressable market, the company focuses on the number of solar installers in these regions. Approximately 12,000 registered solar installers are active across the five countries. However, after adjusting for company size and activity levels, a conservative estimate reduces this figure by half to 6,000 active contractors. Assuming each of these contractors completes five installations per year, the total addressable market is valued at USD 18 million annually within the target regions.
The competitive landscape varies based on customer attitudes toward their solar systems. For users who prefer minimal involvement or control, the company positions its solution by emphasizing the missed opportunity to enhance return on investment. For more proactive users seeking to optimize their solar experience, the company competes on the basis of energy savings and user convenience.
On the convenience front, major tech players like Apple, Amazon, and Google offer partial alternatives; however, using their ecosystems to generate real savings is not straightforward. In terms of maximizing savings, industrial giants such as Honeywell, Schneider Electric, and Siemens provide advanced solutions that typically require significant engineering expertise to implement. Meanwhile, more consumer-oriented platforms such as Sonoff, Tuya, and Home Assistant offer a broad range of products, but lack a unified system to ensure seamless integration. Looking ahead, future competition may arise from solar or energy storage equipment manufacturers, though any move in this direction would likely push them beyond their core competencies.
The company is planning to launch Version 3.0 of its solution, which will mark a significant evolution by removing the need for proprietary hardware altogether. This next version will enable the business to exit the hardware space entirely and focus solely on delivering a streamlined, software-driven experience.
The company is growing its business with the strategic goal of positioning itself for acquisition by a solar power equipment manufacturer, such as Schneider or SMA. This long-term vision guides its product development and market expansion efforts.
The most effective way to convince an end-user to adopt the solution is by bundling it with a new solar system installation. For this reason, the company follows a B2B2C business model, prioritizing the channel of solar contractors. Brighter Energy presents a compelling value proposition to installers by helping them stand out in competitive bids for new installations and by creating opportunities to upgrade existing systems. The solution requires minimal training and fits seamlessly into the contractors’ current offerings.
To efficiently manage this contractor network, the company plans to work through in-country distributors. These distributors maintain strong relationships with local installers, can provide inventory support, and enhance sales through targeted marketing efforts—making them key partners in expanding market reach.
Georges is a mechanical engineer with an MBA, a Master’s in Energy Management and 30 years of experience in power projects, management, finance and marketing.
Maurice is an electrical engineer with an MBA and 35 years of experience in electrical engineering design, contracting and operations management.
Georges and Maurice met 12 years ago while working for the same company. Since then, we have partnered to bring solutions in the field of solar power. One such solution was a solar design/procurement platform that allows home and business owners to have a free solar design and receive quotes for their projects from various installers and equipment suppliers.
We have also launched a training platform for prospective solar installers, where they get certified for free. The business model is to have training graduates pay a yearly fee to be able to bid on solar projects.
