SunOyster Systems secures Galp partnership for lightweight solar rollout
German cleantech company SunOyster Systems, an EIC Accelerator-backed innovator in solar technology, has signed a strategic agreement with Portuguese energy group Galp for the installation of its new generation of lightweight PV modules. The collaboration aims to unlock rooftop solar potential on buildings that cannot support conventional, heavier installations.
Targeting rooftops with strict weight and structural limits
The deal focuses on deploying lightweight photovoltaic systems on commercial and industrial sites where structural constraints, aging roofs or regulatory limits have so far hindered the adoption of rooftop solar. By significantly reducing the weight per square meter, SunOyster Systems intends to open a new segment of the solar energy market that has been largely underserved.
For Galp, one of Southern Europe’s major integrated energy players, the partnership supports its strategy to accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy assets. The company has been expanding its portfolio of solar PV projects across the Iberian Peninsula and beyond, and sees lightweight modules as a complementary solution to ground-mounted and standard rooftop systems.
Innovation backed by European funding
SunOyster Systems has received support from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator program, which backs high-risk, high-impact technologies developed by European startups and scale-ups. The funding has enabled the company to refine its lightweight module design, optimize energy efficiency and reduce installation complexity.
The new modules are engineered to minimize roof penetration and ballast needs, cutting both installation time and structural impact. This design is expected to appeal to property owners seeking decarbonization and lower electricity costs without extensive building reinforcement.
Scaling commercial deployment across Europe
Under the agreement, Galp will integrate SunOyster Systems‘ lightweight PV technology into selected customer projects, starting with pilot installations and moving toward broader commercial deployment if performance targets are met. Both companies anticipate strong demand from logistics centers, retail chains and industrial facilities with limited roof load capacity.
The partnership underscores how European cleantech startups and established energy utilities are collaborating to accelerate the rollout of solar power, improve building-level resilience and advance the EU’s broader climate and energy transition objectives.