Sunsurf Solar raises 2 million in investment

Their floating solar farms generate 15-20% more energy than traditional solar farms, while optimizing land use and helping to reduce the risk of summer droughts. Through their startup Sunsurf Solar, childhood friends Martin Örgård, Marc Montgomery and Björn Larsson are now securing SEK 2 million in venture capital from private investors.

- It feels fantastic! The investment enables Sunsurf Solar to scale up the business and invest wholeheartedly in establishing in Sweden before we go international. Our goal is to be an important piece of the puzzle in the green transition and we offer a smart concept. For farmers and other stakeholders, we can contribute to a better and more sustainable future, while saving them money in the long run," says Marc Montgomery, CEO and co-founder of Sunsurf Solar.

The investors are Martin Norling, CEO of Gena Management and Fredrik Nyberg, CEO of Kungälv Garden Center, who both take a seat on the board.

-Sunsurf Solar's solution is a great way to leverage and develop existing land and ponds, thus creating double benefits. Through floating solar cells, we can create sustainable and renewable energy on a larger scale without exploiting new land. It's great to invest in innovation that makes a real difference and with a great founding team," says Martin Norling.

- Putting solar cells on ponds is smart business! It not only contributes to many environmental benefits but also creates good profitability. I look forward to working with the team that has exactly what you look for in entrepreneurs - drive, hunger and high competence, says Fredrik Nyberg.

More solar energy & less evaporation - at the same time

The hotter solar cells get, the less power they generate. Placing solar cells on water creates a cooling effect that increases energy output even on the hottest days of the year. It also saves precious water, as the floating module prevents the sun's rays from reaching the water surface and reduces evaporation.

Sunsurf Solar's innovative technology, which will be available on the market within a few months, is primarily intended to be sold to farmers with their own irrigation ponds. But the team will also target forest owners, industries, commercial gardens and other energy companies, for example.

-We are the first in Sweden with floating solar parks and the phenomenon is not yet established in the Nordic countries. Our modules are built together in a system and can be adapted to the conditions of the watercourse - whether the pond is long, short, wide or narrow. The anchoring system can handle height differences of up to six meters, making our technology the only one suitable for watercourses that are drained and refilled in a short time," says Marc.

Withstands extreme weather conditions

For just over a year now, a pilot project has been underway with the Sötåsen School of Agriculture in Töreboda, where the modules have been placed on the school's irrigation pond. The technology has shown such good efficiency results that the school has chosen to purchase the module and integrate it into teaching. Through the pilot project, the anchoring system has also been tested in real life in extreme weather conditions - two severe storms, a thunderstorm and most recently Storm Hans.

Sunsurf Solar was founded in Gothenburg in 2020 by Martin Örgård, Marc Montgomery and Björn Larsson, friends since childhood, and with a burning interest and passion for the environment. While Martin and Björn are specialist engineers, educated at Chalmers University of Technology, in offshore/liquid energy, Marc, educated at the School of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Gothenburg, has expertise in environmental law.

The business idea was born when the friends brainstormed new ways to harness solar energy in a way that not only generates clean energy but also creates benefits such as water savings and land use optimization.

Since 2022, Sunsurf Solar is part of our incubator.