Icarus Cold Solar

Icarus RT, Inc.

Icarus Cold Solar

Icarus Cold Solar is concentrated hybrid PVT cogeneration + storage that doubles PV output, halves CO2 emissions and stores thermal energy.

Carlsbad, CA, USA

United States

For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models

Icarus Cold Solar addresses critical barriers to clean energy adoption: the poor performance of PV systems everywhere and solar thermal systems in cold climates. Traditional systems struggle to maintain adequate water temperatures due to low ambient temperatures and limited sunlight, especially in Climate Zones 4–7 globally. These limitations reduce energy output and economic viability, preventing widespread adoption in colder regions. Water heating constitutes 26% of energy consumption; residential hot water represents approximately 520 million metric tons of CO₂ emissions annually. Without effective cold-climate solar solutions, millions of people in communities north and south of the sunbelt remain dependent on fossil fuels for heat and hot water, hindering decarbonization and energy costs. Cold Solar combines Motion-Free Optical tracking with reflectors and the Icarus Quartet heat extraction and flow control system. This concentrated hybrid PV/T system doubles the energy output per square foot of PV while capturing and storing thermal energy—even in cold weather. The result provides highly efficient, seasonally resilient renewable solutions. By overcoming temperature and daylight limitations, Icarus Cold Solar expands the geographic and market viability of solar thermal technology, enabling cleaner energy adoption, reducing carbon emissions, and improving energy reliability—accelerating the transition to a sustainable future.

Icarus Cold Solar breakthrough PV/T technology maximizes solar energy capture and storage in all climates—especially cold ones. It addresses inefficiencies of conventional solar thermal systems in low-temperature environments through key innovations: Motion-Free Optical Tracking (MFOT) concentration and Icarus heat extraction and flow control system. MFOT concentrates sunlight onto PV panels without moving parts, boosting electrical output while enhancing reliability. Concurrently, the Quartet subsystem captures and stores excess thermal energy generated by concentrating incident solar light that would otherwise be lost as waste heat. Together, these features allow Cold Solar to double the energy yield per square foot compared to standard PV—providing both electricity and heat. Unlike conventional solar thermal systems that falter in Climate Zones 4–7, Cold Solar is engineered for high thermal output even on short, cold winter days. This is especially valuable for residential and commercial users aiming to reduce fossil-fuel-based water heating, lower energy bills, and shrink their carbon footprint. The system is modular and scalable enabling consistent, year-round performance and supporting a more resilient, affordable, and equitable transition to renewable energy across a broad range of climates and communities. The uploaded Pitch Deck provides ‘How it Works’ slides. Demo video: https://youtu.be/DQzK-GIMSbU

Icarus Cold Solar serves homeowners, businesses, and institutions in cold Climate Zones 4–7, where conventional solar thermal systems are ineffective. These communities are currently underserved due to the inefficiencies of traditional solar PV and thermal systems in low-temperature environments, leading to higher reliance on fossil fuels for heating and increased energy costs. These are often highly populated communities that need lower costs and cleaner air the most. Icarus’ solution addresses their needs by combining Motion-Free Optical Tracking (MFOT) concentration and the Quartet heat extraction and flow control system. MFOT technology boosts electrical output without moving parts, enhancing reliability. The Quartet subsystem captures and stores thermal energy that is otherwise lost, doubling the energy yield per square foot compared to standard PV—providing both electricity and heat. Cold Solar maintains high thermal output even on short, cold winter days, offering a practical solution for reducing fossil-fuel-based water heating, lowering utility bills, and cutting emissions. The system is modular, scalable, and affordable with an attractive target ROI of less than four (4) years. By unlocking reliable, year-round solar efficiency in regions previously underserved by solar thermal alone, Icarus hybrid PV/Thermal Cold Solar supports a more resilient, cost-effective, and inclusive transition to clean energy.