The company

FutureVoltaics
Solar Energy Innovation from Science

With its roots in scientific research and a commitment to solar energy innovation, FutureVoltaics aims to lead the change toward a cleaner, smarter, and more reliable solar energy future

The Rigor of Science and
the Innovation of a Startup

Excellence and integrity

FutureVoltaics represents the convergence of scientific rigor and entrepreneurial innovation. Founded by Dr. José Ripalda, whose groundbreaking research at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) laid the foundation for its unique approach, the company has grown into a multidisciplinar team of experts. These professionals span diverse domains, including science, engineering, legal frameworks, and business administration, all united by a shared commitment to advancing solar energy technology.

FutureVoltaics origins in CSIC underscore a commitment to excellence and research integrity, while the addition of professionals from varied disciplines ensures that challenges are approached from a broad perspective. Together, FutureVoltaics has built a team that is not only equipped to solve technical problems but also to navigate the complex regulatory, financial, and operational landscapes of the renewable energy sector.

This unique combination of expertise and dedication has made possible the development of VectHor, a technology that embodies both innovation and practicality. By marrying cutting-edge research with real-world application, FutureVoltaics is redefining the possibilities of solar energy production and setting a new standard for efficiency and sustainability.

Driving every step towards
a Cleaner Energy Future

2019Problem identification
Initial concept and first prototypes
Dr. José Ripalda's research at the CSIC identified the need for photovoltaic (PV) systems tailored to lower solar elevation angles, leading to the creation of the initial concept for VectHor.
Prototypes were rigorously tested and refined at the IMN-CSIC experimental solar facility (TRL 1 and 2).
2020Company foundation
FutureVoltaics is born
FutureVoltaics was founded in 2020 as a spin-off from the CSIC, the 5th largest research and education institution in Europe.
The first experimental proof of concept (TRL 3) was built and tested.
2020-2022Prototype testing
Testing and optimizing
Several prototypes with different configurations were tested and validated at the experimental facilities of IMN-CSIC in 2020-2022 (TRL 4-5).
Additionally, several pilot plants have been under evaluation and tested in wind tunnels since 2020.
2022Growing
Key partnerships
Establishment of two key partnerships with one of the main solar tracker manufacturers in the global market, and with a key AgriTech industry player.
With the latter, FutureVoltaics is developing the AgriVoltaic version of VectHor.
2024Public & Media Recognition
TRL 7
The current TRL 7 status has been achieved with the installation of a 4 kW system at FutureVoltaics’ factory rooftop. It has led to a 38% increase in the annual solar energy production compared to the first version of VectHor, with significant potential for further improvements. This has attracted attention in relevant media such as PV Magazine Global. Additionally, over 50 kW of VectHor systems have been sold and deployed to date.
TODAYEuropean institutional recognition
Scaling up
Having been granted the Seal of Excellence by the European Innovation Council, the company is now ready to scale up and secure long-term strategic customers.

The FutureVoltaics team with a VectHor unit at the factory in Villaverde

Our Vision

A healthy business creates value for all stakeholders, including investors, customers, and employees. To achieve this, we must anticipate future market and technology trends and innovate accordingly.

More Power When It Matters: With cutting-edge photovoltaic technology, our vertical PV systems provide greater energy production precisely when demand is highest, offering increased energy yield during critical times and reducing dependency on traditional energy sources.

Believe in the Future: By optimizing each solar panel’s energy output, we help to reduce the carbon footprint of solar installations by 24%. This meaningful reduction supports a more sustainable future, offering clients the dual benefits of profitability and environmental responsibility.

Our Mission

To accelerate the transition to a sustainable economy by commercializing innovative, intelligent, and valuable solar photovoltaic technologies.

Our Value Proposition

To produce pre-assembled vertical bifacial solar panels with reflectors providing the highest return on investment.

Our Values

Innovation

We are dedicated to driving technological breakthroughs that shape the future of solar energy innovation.

Sustainability

We focus on minimizing environmental impact while maximizing energy efficiency, ensuring a cleaner planet for future generations.

Collaboration

By partnering with research institutions, businesses, and communities, we work toward achieving common goals and advancing sustainable energy.

Excellence

We uphold the highest standards in research, development, and execution, ensuring top-tier quality in every project.

Our team

Dr. Manuel Hinojosa

CEO

Manuel leads FutureVoltaics as CEO, having served as its CTO since the project’s beginnings. An industrial engineer from UPC with a cum laude PhD in Photovoltaic Solar Energy from UPM, he brings more than eight years of R&D in high-efficiency photovoltaics, with 37 scientific publications and the development of a multijunction solar cell exceeding 40% efficiency. He has taken VectHor from a patented idea to real industrial projects, developed FVlib, the company’s in-house simulation tool, and secured the public and private funding needed to scale the technology.

Dr. José M. Ripalda

Founder

José M. Ripalda founded FutureVoltaics in 2020 based on his patents on vertical bifacial photovoltaic systems. He is a tenured researcher at the Institute of Micro and Nanotechnology of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC). With a PhD from the Autonomous University of Madrid, he carried out research at synchrotrons in Europe and the US and ran the STM-MBE laboratory at Imperial College London. He has collaborated for two decades with the Solar Energy Institute on advanced photovoltaics, published 55 articles, supervised 4 PhD theses and led 12 funded projects.

Dr. Beatriz Muñiz

CTO

Beatriz holds a PhD in Condensed Matter Physics from the Autonomous University of Madrid, awarded cum laude and the Extraordinary Doctoral Award, and has authored 15 papers in Q1 journals. As CTO, she leads the development of VectHor from design to manufacturing and deployment in real projects: successive product generations, material selection and validation, testing, industrialization and the continuous improvement of the manufacturing line. She represented the company at the Colmeia Award, where FutureVoltaics won first prize.

José María Pimienta

Head of Marketing and Sales

José María is an industrial engineer specialised in energy from the University of Extremadura and holds an Executive MBA from IE Business School. He brings almost 20 years of business development in renewable energy, in both multinationals and startups: he was Business Development Director at OCA Global, head of energy communities at Ampere Energy and held management roles at SGS, advising banks and investors on renewable projects. At FutureVoltaics he leads marketing and sales.

Dr. Miguel Ángel Sevillano

Senior PV Performance Engineer

Miguel holds a PhD in Physics and a joint PhD in Renewable Energy. He brings nearly a decade of experience in PV monitoring, solar-resource and spectral analysis, performance modelling and machine learning, and has published in Q1 journals. At FutureVoltaics he connects simulation with operating data, coordinates independent testing and technical validation, and turns complex results into engineering decisions. In 2026 he represented the company in the winning PRIO Jump Start project and coordinates the technical preparation of the pilot.

Patricia Povedano

Head of Administration

Patricia holds a degree in Business Administration and Management from the University of Alcalá and has over 10 years of experience in banking, where she specialised in administrative management, operational analysis and control. As Head of Administration at FutureVoltaics, she coordinates imports and logistics, accounting and treasury, suppliers and customers, recruitment, and the justification of grants and publicly funded projects, supporting every area of the company.

Daniel Herranz

Production Technician

Daniel is part of the FutureVoltaics production team, where he assembles VectHor units and carries out quality control on the manufacturing line. He brings more than eight years of industrial experience: he has run an extrusion line, assembled engines in the automotive industry under lean manufacturing, and worked on low-voltage electrical installations.

Andrés González

Production Technician

Andrés is part of the FutureVoltaics production team, where he assembles VectHor units, handles materials and prepares shipments. He brings almost five years on automotive assembly lines, training in mechanical manufacturing and broad experience in logistics, forklifts and overhead cranes.

Gender equality plan

A spin off from the Spanish National Research Council

Backing from European, national, and regional public funds

FUTURE VOLTAICS S.L. has received a grant of €1,564,175.95 under the Community of Madrid aid line aimed at financing projects that have obtained a Seal of Excellence within the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator programme, under the Horizon Europe programme (2021-2027) to promote business investment in R&D&I. This project has been co-financed (40%) by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the Community of Madrid Programme 2021-2027 under the priority of the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP). The total planned investment is €2,234,537.08.

FUTURE VOLTAICS S.L. has received a grant of €56,478.73 from the Madrid City Council for the implementation of the investment project called "2026_IND_020", under the public call for grants aimed at promoting, boosting and revitalising industry and industry-related services in the city of Madrid, for the 2026 financial year, from the General Directorate of Economy of the Area of Government of Economy, Innovation and Finance.

FUTURE VOLTAICS S.L. has received a grant of €42,944.00 from the Madrid City Council for the implementation of the investment project called "IND_2025_022", under the public call for grants aimed at promoting, boosting and revitalising industry and industry-related services in the city of Madrid, for the 2025 financial year, from the General Directorate of Economy of the Area of Government of Economy, Innovation and Finance.

FUTURE VOLTAICS S.L. has received a grant of €38,745.38 from the Madrid City Council for the implementation of the investment project called "IND_2024_037", under the public call for grants aimed at promoting, boosting and revitalising industry and industry-related services in the city of Madrid, for the 2024 financial year, from the General Directorate of Economy of the Area of Government of Economy, Innovation and Finance.

FUTURE VOLTAICS S.L. has also been a beneficiary of the NEOTEC programme of the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology of the Spanish government (CDTI) and of Project CPP2022-009836 funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by the European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR.

Certifications & Memberships: European Innovation Council (EIC) Seal of Excellence awardee, and recipient of the Sello de Pyme Innovadora (Innovative SME Seal) and ENISA Certification, granted by the Spanish Ministries of Science, Innovation and Universities, and Industry and Tourism, respectively. Member of the European Solar Industry Alliance (ESIA), and hosted by Factoria Industrial of the Madrid city local government.

Investors

FutureVoltaicsSolar Energy Innovation from Science

The Rigor of Science andthe Innovation of a Startup

Driving every step towardsa Cleaner Energy Future

Initial concept and first prototypes

FutureVoltaics is born

Testing and optimizing

Key partnerships

TRL 7

Scaling up