Where Traditional Solar Falls Short, Merlin Solar Shines

Merlin Solar Technologies, a Fifth Wall portfolio company, is proving that solar doesn’t need to be rigid, heavy, or fragile to be powerful. Under the leadership of CEO Kendall Combs, Merlin is unlocking new possibilities for solar deployment in the harshest, most unconventional environments—where glass panels simply can't go.

Rethinking Solar for the Real World

Most solar technology has been trapped in what Kendall Combs calls “its coffin”—a rigid glass-and-aluminum frame that works fine on a stationary rooftop but is a non-starter for mobile or curved applications. Merlin Solar breaks free from this form factor by using flexible, film-encapsulated panels built for durability. These panels are lightweight, rugged, and able to withstand extreme conditions—whether mounted on the fairing of an 18-wheeler or powering mobile storage units​.

The company's patented copper grid technology—with more than 180 spring interconnects and over 2,000 total connections—prevents mechanical fatigue and allows electricity to flow freely even as the panel flexes. A hidden mesh backing also prevents microcracks, one of the biggest problems in conventional solar. The result is a panel that performs better in real-world, off-angle sunlight and continues producing energy long after a standard module might have failed​.

Power on the Move

Merlin Solar’s flexible format unlocks solar applications in the transportation, mobility, and off-grid sectors. OEMs like Winnebago and Airstream are now integrating Merlin’s panels directly into their manufacturing lines. The same goes for fleet operators like Daimler Trucks North America and Ford UK, who are using the panels to extend battery life and reduce downtime on the road​.

As more vehicles go digital and adopt IoT systems, keeping those electronics powered is critical. Merlin enables a continuous trickle charge that protects batteries during operation and idle periods—without adding weight or compromising design.

From Regenerative Farms to Disaster Zones

One of Merlin’s most compelling use cases is in agriculture. In partnership with Pasturebird—a regenerative chicken farming company acquired by Perdue—Merlin equips mobile barns that move daily across farmland. These units need renewable power in remote locations without grid access. The pilot began with just a few barns; now the solution is scaling to hundreds per year​.

The story extends to emergency response too. During the recent LA wildfires, first responders relied on Merlin’s panels to power communication devices and equipment in disaster zones with no available grid. The peel-and-stick setup made deployment fast and reliable—a vital advantage in crisis situations​.

Aesthetic and Functional Fit for the Built Environment

Beyond vehicles and field operations, Merlin is also transforming solar for buildings. In residential roofing, it partners with CertainTeed (a Saint-Gobain division) to produce the Solstice shingle—a building-integrated photovoltaic system designed to blend into standard asphalt shingles for a clean look with full solar function.

For commercial rooftops, Merlin offers its patented FX peel-and-stick panels. These can be applied directly to single-ply membranes without penetrations or racking systems, saving on labor, reducing structural impact, and enabling faster installs. And with a 20–25 year warranty, these systems are built to last​.

Built to Scale, Ready to Deploy

Over the past two years, Merlin Solar has grown more than 70%, largely by focusing on transportation and off-grid solutions. The cost of solar has come down, and Merlin’s unique product makes the ROI clear for fleet operators and OEMs.

But CEO Kendall Combs has his sights set even higher. Since joining in early 2025, he’s been focused on turning engineering innovation into scalable business growth. With a proven product, strong customer validation, and years of co-development behind them, Merlin is now positioned to expand fast into new sectors and new geographies​.

“We’re at a point where we’ve solved enough of these problems,” Combs says. “Now it’s a matter of deploying these at pace to the customers that need them.”