For climate-tech startups, the challenge is no longer proving that renewable energy works—it’s proving that it can scale quickly and efficiently. In Portugal, a growing number of young technology companies are tackling this problem by combining AI, geospatial data, and energy infrastructure.
One of the latest examples comes from GeoAI startup Planno, which has partnered with solar developer SparkWave Energy to accelerate the discovery of high-value commercial rooftops and expand solar self-consumption across the country.
The collaboration aims to speed up the identification of high-value commercial and industrial rooftops for solar installations—one of the most promising yet underutilized segments of Portugal’s clean-energy market.
While Portugal has made headlines for its wind and hydropower performance, solar energy is emerging as the next major growth driver. In June 2025, solar generation overtook wind for the first time in the national energy mix, a signal that distributed generation and self-consumption schemes are beginning to scale.
According to Planno’s geospatial analysis, Portugal has 79,000 commercial and industrial rooftops suitable for solar, representing 15.4 GW of potential capacity. Yet only 15% of this capacity has been installed, leaving a significant opportunity for developers and technology providers alike.
Planno’s AI-powered platform addresses a core bottleneck in the sector: discovery and qualification. By combining proprietary and third-party geospatial data, the startup enables solar developers to identify prime rooftops, build richer customer profiles, and move faster from prospecting to deployment.
SparkWave Energy brings scale to the partnership. Supported by Octopus Energy Generation, one of Europe’s largest renewable-energy investors managing 3.2 GW of projects across 17 countries, SparkWave is expanding aggressively in Portugal’s C&I solar market.
“Market reforms and exceptional solar conditions create enormous opportunities for commercial and industrial self-consumption,” said Tiago Andrade e Sousa, CEO of SparkWave Energy. “With Planno’s GeoAI solution, we can unlock growth much faster while helping businesses cut emissions.”
A snapshot of Portugal’s climate-tech future
For Planno, the deal validates its technology-first approach. “SparkWave Energy shows how private energy players can accelerate the transition through decisive investment and technology,” said Daniel Domingues, CEO of Planno. “Our platform helps turn data into faster, smarter deployment.”
As Portugal’s solar market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 6.5% through 2029, partnerships between startups and large developers are becoming a defining feature of the ecosystem.
For founders building in climate tech, the message is clear: AI and geospatial intelligence are no longer optional tools—they are key enablers of scale. And in Portugal’s race toward a renewable future, the next wave of growth may well be happening above our heads, one rooftop at a time.