by Sara Fedele, Senior Manager, PR and Communications at Kickstart Innovation
In the coming weeks, as part of our 11-week program, we’ll be showcasing the journeys of several participants from Kickstart’s program. Today, we’re highlighting Over Easy Solar, a company revolutionizing solar energy with their innovative vertical solar solutions. Since joining Kickstart, Over Easy Solar has made remarkable strides, from setting world records in solar installations to forming strategic partnerships with key players in green roofing and solar energy. In this interview with CEO, Trygve Mongstad, we explore their recent milestones, the unique benefits of vertical solar panels, and their vision for transforming urban rooftops into sustainable, energy-generating spaces.
What inspired you to found Over Easy Solar and focus specifically on vertical solar solutions? What opportunities did you see in the solar industry that traditional approaches weren’t addressing?
My background is diverse—I’ve worked in research, project development, and even as a solar installer. Along the way, I saw that the process of installing solar systems was often overly complicated and slow. This sparked an idea to simplify things. A simple sketch on a napkin eventually evolved into the VPV Unit, our fully prefabricated vertical solar solution, which I developed alongside my co-founders, Tommy Engvik and Aria Yadmelat. Our design allows for installation that’s up to ten times faster than traditional methods. Plus, it’s incredibly lightweight, at only 11 kg per square meter, which makes it viable for a wider range of rooftops.
Over Easy Solar’s vertical panels integrate well with green and flat roofs. How does this approach benefit both energy production and rooftop biodiversity? Could you share more about the advantages of your design?
Our vertical orientation has several unique benefits. Pairing our vertical solar panels with green roofs is ideal for urban settings; it boosts cooling, water retention, and biodiversity. The east-west alignment of the panels generates power when it’s most needed—and most valuable. Plus, it also maximizes energy generation in winter, as vertical panels capture low-angle sunlight and avoid snow cover. The vertical orientation also keeps the roof accessible, making maintenance straightforward. Altogether, our approach transforms urban rooftops into spaces that are both energy-efficient and environmentally beneficial.
In May 2024, Over Easy Solar set a world record with the largest vertical rooftop installation. What were some of the unique challenges of this project, and how did you overcome them to make it successful?
This project was indeed a milestone—it was our first large-scale installation with over 5,000 solar panels. We were essentially testing our ambition: to make solar installations faster and more straightforward through prefabrication. We were thrilled to see our vision come to life on such a grand scale and are proud of what our team achieved.
Vertical solar panels are still relatively new in the market. What do you see as the biggest benefits of vertical panels over traditional horizontal ones, and how have clients responded to this innovation?
Vertical panels open up new possibilities for rooftop solar installations, especially for roofs that traditional systems would struggle with. Our panels are lightweight, requiring no ballast or structural fastenings, which makes them ideal for roofs with weight or space limitations. For example, in Zurich, more than a third of buildings with flat roofs reportedly can’t support conventional solar systems (1). This is where our vertical solution shines—allowing solar installations where they weren’t possible before. It’s always a challenge introducing a new technology, especially in a sector where designs have remained largely the same for decades. But we’re lucky to work with forward-thinking partners and innovators who understand the value of our solution and share our vision for mass adoption.
Environmental sustainability is a key part of Over Easy Solar’s mission. How does your technology minimize environmental impact, and are there specific initiatives you’re particularly proud of?
Sustainability is at the core of why we started Over Easy. We’re very hands-on with our suppliers, personally visiting their facilities to ensure they meet our standards for responsible sourcing. I’m especially proud of our work with green roofs. By integrating our vertical panels, we’re creating urban spaces that are not only energy-efficient but also contribute to biodiversity and resilience. With current climate change and an urgent need for action and climate adaptation measures, it seems evident that solar green roofs will need to be the standard for all rooftops in urban areas in the near future.
The solar industry is evolving quickly, with new technologies and market demands. What upcoming trends or advancements are you most excited about and why?
It’s exciting to see solar continue to grow in the EU, especially with strong political support like the Green Energy Buildings Directive. We’re also seeing more and more green roofs every year, particularly in places like Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, which make up the world’s largest green roofing market. Internally, we’re always working to make our products even easier and faster to install and to increase their efficiency.
Collaboration and partnerships are key to success. How is Over Easy Solar establishing meaningful relationships with ecosystem players and Swiss corporates? Are you generating commercial deals, and how are you approaching potential clients or collaborators?
We’re taking a partnership approach that lets us enter new markets quickly and scale efficiently, which is crucial for lowering manufacturing costs. We’re proud to be working with Sempergreen, a leading provider in green roofing with almost 30 years of experience. We also collaborate with regional partners in Austria and Switzerland, and we’re big supporters of programs like Kickstart that help us connect with local players. Right now, we’re exploring partnerships and proof-of-concept projects with several Swiss companies.
With your recent achievements, Over Easy Solar is gaining momentum. What’s next for the company, and what milestones are you most looking forward to in the near future?
We’ve achieved a lot already, with over 30 installations in 11 countries, industry recognition, and a world record for vertical rooftop installations. Moving forward, we’re eager to expand our partnerships and bring Over Easy’s solutions to even more rooftops. We’re also preparing for our next funding round to accelerate product development and support our growth. For anyone interested in partnering or investing, feel free to reach out to us at info@overeasy.no.
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About Trygve Mongstad
Trygve Mongstad, is the founder and CEO of Over Easy Solar. He brings over 15 years of experience in the solar industry. With a PhD in Materials Science specializing in solar cell technology, his background includes roles in R&D, consultancy, large-scale project management, and entrepreneurship in renewable energy.
About Overe Easy Solar
Over Easy Solar AS is a Norwegian company who develops, manufactures and supplies pre-assembled PV-Units for easy solar installations on green and flat roofs. The Over Easy VPV-Unit solves the key challenges for green and flat roofs in a new and previously unseen way. The technology is patent pending, and all the principles and benefits are being demonstrated in a prototype and pilot installations through Europe.
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