Last May, FutureVoltaics won first place in the Colmeia Accelerator, an initiative promoted by Galp, Fundação Galp, and the Municipality of Matosinhos. The €50,000 award recognized the startup as the project most closely aligned with the program’s mission: implementing and scaling decarbonization initiatives in the Portuguese city.
In addition to the financial prize, FutureVoltaics has been granted the opportunity to deploy its innovative photovoltaic system, VECTHOR®, on the rooftop of an educational center in Matosinhos. VECTHOR® stood out from competing solutions thanks to its ability to generate savings compared to conventional systems by optimizing energy capture during periods of higher electricity prices. This feature proved decisive in granting the award, as it highlights the social impact of reinvesting the savings into meaningful areas such as educational materials, laboratory equipment, or additional teaching staff.
The project extends beyond the technological installation itself. FutureVoltaics will work together with the program’s promoters to launch an educational initiative aimed at students and school staff. The program will include workshops, talks, and awareness-raising activities on renewable energy, with a particular focus on solar power. Participants will also have the chance to engage directly with the pilot, visiting the rooftop installation and analyzing the data it generates through guided activities.
Through this project, FutureVoltaics will not only drive the decarbonization of Matosinhos but also continue demonstrating its technology, testing its scalability potential, and positioning the city as a benchmark for others to follow. At the same time, the initiative will foster education and citizen engagement as fundamental pillars of the energy transition.
