The Space Power Problem

Current on-orbit solar capacity is just 50 MW, but the space economy is projected to need 3,000 MW by 2035. Traditional rare-earth solar panels are expensive but durable; silicon panels degrade from cosmic radiation. Both require heavy protective coverings and take months to manufacture. The industry needs a fundamentally different approach.

What They're Building

Arinna builds ultrathin solar panels from transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) — atomically thin semiconductors that are 32% more efficient than traditional space panels. These panels need no protective coverings, last 15 years on orbit, and can be delivered in weeks rather than months.

The technology offers the durability of rare-earth panels and the cost advantages of silicon, without the drawbacks of either. Arinna's first products are expected on orbit before the end of 2026, with megawatt-scale mass production planned by 2028.

Funding and Backing

Arinna raised a $4 million seed round to advance its ultrathin solar panel technology. The company is backed by NASA, the US Army, the National Science Foundation, and Stanford University. Both co-founders are Breakthrough Energy Fellows (Cohort 4), further validating the transformative potential of their approach to space solar power.