A metal roof installtion with FX-36L, peel-and-stick modules.

Murali said the startup company is here to stay.

“We’re one of the only companies that have crossed the chasm of R&D to manufacturing. We were not looking for transactional or immediate sales. We take the long view and instead focused on creating design wins with strategic partners,” he said.

With parent company Ayala’s financial support and patent-protected grid technology, Merlin Solar plans to take a big step into traditional solar markets this year.

“There are tons of startup companies in solar. Many companies are trying to have a breakthrough moment,” Murali said. “I think this is a year that we’re going to break through.”