Say goodbye to the boring and conventional solar panels and hello to something that not only powers your home or small business but it also makes you smile. A New York-based technology company called Grouphug developed a unique solar panel that is cat-shaped and generates 500 watts of energy. Gone are the days when solar panels were perceived as regular blue or black rectangle-shaped objects placed on the roof. This time around, it is a combination of sustainability and aesthetics to match individual preferences.
In 2019, Grouphug founder Krystal Persaud interviewed 100 New Yorkers when she launched her business and discovered that many people have always had a certain perception of solar energy and have never thought it could be both aesthetically pleasing and power-generating simultaneously. Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban invested in the business, believing that it is beyond technology but innovation.
An adorable and functional solar panel: The origin of the solar cat
I have been seeing and reading about how companies want to move away from solar panels being the traditional shape and colour; however, never did I imagine that a cat-shaped solar panel could be a thing and work as well as any other panel. The origin of the solar cat came from Grouphug, as they were exploring ways to make solar panels less intimidating and more accessible, according to Inhabitat.
Grouphug founder Krystal Persaud said,
“At Grouphug, our mission is to change the perception that renewable energy is a boring utility purchased by the most privileged. The technology itself can be designed to be more relatable, have a personality and be fun.”
The 500-watt solar cat is a fully operational solar panel that can power homes and charge smartphones. There is nothing different besides the look; however, it generates energy just like any other solar panel from the rays of the sun. According to Inhabitat, the fact that the cat’s cells are composed of translucent plastic adds an educational element by allowing visitors to view the various parts within without hindrance.
Mark Cuban becomes an investor in Grouphug, a small Brooklyn solar firm
Every business starts from somewhere and having an investor is one of the business opportunities one should never let go of. When Grouphug was promoted at a show in Los Angeles to tell her story in front of a group of investors, she won the heart of one investor, Mark Cuban, the billionaire owner of the Dallas Mavericks, according to CNet. Persaud wanted $150,000 worth of investment with a 10% return, but they both agreed on 25%.
she said of the new investment, according to CNet,
“Since I’ve been working with him, it has been totally worth it.”
The business started in 2019 and in 2020 that is when she managed to get an investor; however, it was not easy for Grouphug due to the COVID-19 regulations that hindered quite a number of businesses, and her supplier was based in China, which made it even worse because the country was under hard lockdown and was the most affected. However, this allows us to comprehend how sustainability can be captivating and still achieve its purpose.
A sign of the future: How imaginative design can promote a greener future
The solar cat goes beyond just power generation and steps into the world of creativity. Now we know that solar panels can be built in so many ways based on one’s preference. Whether it is the conventional way, the cat way, or the turtle-shaped way, according to CNet, Persaud is working on that too. Grouphug has inspired other enterprises to look into creative ideas that can eliminate the stigma surrounding solar panels.
As a global community, we are working tirelessly to make the world a greener place; however, that should not make us forget our preferences and how we can be creative with these solar designs. Fortunately, Grouphug has set an example and paved the way with the cat-shaped solar panel, and Inhabitat states that the company also wants to demonstrate that solar technology has the ability to make people happy in addition to being able to capture solar energy. The end goal is to make everyone happy with their product.