Northern lights, solar sights: How Finland is innovating under low sunlight

Finland might not seem to be exactly bathed in sunshine for 12 months a year – but it’s actually fast becoming one of Europe’s most ambitious solar energy developers. With around 300 industrial-scale projects in various stages of planning, the country is eyeing over 23 gigawatts of potential capacity.

Thanks to its cool climate, abundant land, and solar radiation levels on par with northern Germany, Finland is unexpectedly well-suited to solar – especially when paired with wind, which peaks in winter as solar dominates summer. Together, they create a more balanced and resilient energy mix.

From vast solar parks to smart fabrics and solar-powered food production, Finnish researchers and companies are transforming low-light conditions into high-impact innovation. These five ventures show how solar energy is not just possible – but flourishing – in the far north.

1. AN EXPERT IN PHOTOVOLTAIC TECHNOLOGY: VALOE

This seasoned expert in photovoltaic (PV) technology is developing new efficient methods to generate renewable solar electricity. With factories in both Finland’s Juva and Lithuania’s Vilnius, Valoe manufactures PV cells and modules customised to the customers' requirements and suitable for a variety of applications.

One of the crucial areas of interest for Valoe is developing technologies enabling the introduction of affordable solar electric vehicles to the global market. For example, Valoe is part of GIANTS (Green Intelligent Affordable New Transport Solutions), a three-and-a-half-year EU project which aims to simplify the production of light electric vehicles.

In recent years, Valoe introduced decorative solar energy glass, an exciting innovation developed together with glass construction company Itä-Helsingin Lasi, allowing to transform the glass surfaces of buildings into solar energy power plants.

“Promoting the use of clean and safe solar energy is the core of our operations,” emphasised Iikka Savisalo, CEO of Valoe. “We are proud of our Finnish innovation, which enables real estate also in Finland to be converted into solar energy producers.”

2. INNOVATIVE SOLAR ROOFING: VIRTE SOLAR

Part of Virte-Metalli, a Turku-headquartered roofing company with a history of over 50 years, Virte Solar was one of the first companies in the world to introduce solar roofing. A combination of a metal roofing sheet and copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) thin-film cells, the innovative product is over 90 per cent lighter than its predecessors.

For the convenience of house owners, the electricity-producing panels are integrated in the sheets already at the factory and the entity is delivered and installed in one go.

“Personally, I am sure that the new CIGS thin-film solar panels are a winning technology,” said CEO Jaakko Virtanen. “The low weight, safety, practicality and visual outfit of solar energy systems are now taken to a completely new level. I hope that the new technology finally opens doors for the broad use of solar energy in all Nordic countries. The world simply needs well-functioning solar solutions.”

3. MAKING SAFE WATER ACCESSIBLE: SOLAR WATER SOLUTIONS

This cleantech company is helping to tackle the global water crisis with its unique technology for producing drinking water from seawater, lakes and rivers with solar power. The patented solution is based on an innovative reverse osmosis process and has already proved reliable and efficient in over 300 locations across Africa, Asia, Oceania and other parts of the world.

“Reverse osmosis typically requires much energy. Solar Water Solutions comes in to provide a technological solution to solve this energy challenge,” CEO Antti Pohjola told us a few years ago. “Our solution makes it possible to supply safe water to people living in remote areas without electricity coverage.”

Listed among best inventions for 2020 by the TIME magazine, the company’s water purification solutions have a profound impact on communities struggling with water scarcity and play an important role in improving living conditions, public health and overall wellbeing in these areas.

4. A DYNAMIC PLAYER IN THE SOLAR ENERGY INDUSTRY: SOLARIGO SYSTEMS

A subsidiary of Lumme Energia, Solarigo Systems is a dynamic player in the solar energy industry whose expertise lies in designing and constructing solar power plants, particularly for commercial and industrial clients. Since its foundation in 2015, Solarigo has installed over 200 solar power plants and large-scale solar energy parks in Finland.

The company’s projects significantly contribute to reducing carbon footprints and promoting sustainable energy practices in the Finnish business sector. Solarigo made headlines for being chosen to convert Helsinki-based Bolt Arena into Finland’s first solar-powered football stadium.

A total of 352 solar panels were eventually installed on the roof of the HJK Helsinki football club’s home stadium with an output of approximately 100 MWh. This covers approximately 16 percent of the stadium's energy needs during the match season..

“The power plant will pay for itself financially in about 10 years," said Solarigo CTO Ville Vairinen. "For the remaining 20–30 years, production costs are low and consist of servicing and maintenance."

5. SUN-POWERED TEXTILES: AALTO UNIVERSITY

Clothes that soak up the sun – literally? Design and physics researchers at Aalto University, alongside industrial partners Lindström, Haltian and Foxa, completed a three-year project, Sun-powered Textiles. The project aimed to explore the possibility of integrating solar cells in textiles to provide energy-autonomous operation for wearable electronics, such as sensors that measure humidity or temperature, and smart textile applications.

The project produced a jacket prototype made of a machine-washable fabric with concealed solar panels. The fabric of the garment was optimised so that enough light could pass through to power the wearables without compromising aesthetics.

“Solar cells hidden under textiles are worth considering as energy sources for electrical equipment that, for one reason or another, has to adhere to textiles, look and feel like a fabric, be machine-washable, use as little power as possible and whose battery is otherwise either too hard or too expensive to charge or replace,” commented Janne Halme, lecturer at Aalto University.

Promising applications for the innovative textiles include work, sports and outdoor clothing, safety and protection wear, as well as curtains which react to changes in the amount of light.