pvilion is at
the forefront
of solar fabric technology.
Our products range from stand-alone solar canopies, solar military tents, grid-tied long span structures, solar powered charging stations to solar powered curtains, building facades, backpacks and clothing. What we do is simple in theory – we integrate solar cells with fabric, and we build fabric products that generate electricity. Effectively, any surface that is getting hit by the sun, can be a fabric that generates electricity.
Pvilion represents over a 10-year collaboration between Colin Touhey, an electrical engineer and Todd Dalland, a pioneering designer and inventor in the field of lightweight structures, and Robert Lerner, AIA, an architect who has led new technology development programs involving lightweight, deployable structures for NASA, the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force.
learn about our history →Our
mission
To make clean energy available in any setting – with a focus on quality, appearance, and flexibility.
We are committed to building products that…
Empower users in any location, no matter how remote.
Can solarize every fabric that receives sunlight.
Provide essential power anywhere it’s needed.
Eliminate the need for polluting generators.
meet the team
Colin
CO-Founder and CEO
Colin is an electrical engineer specializing in renewable energy technology. He has worked in wind, solar, and ocean energy, receiving grants from NASA and NYSERDA, among others. Colin is certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) as a solar installer.
Todd
CO-Founder and President
Todd is a pioneering designer and inventor in the field of lightweight structures and integrated flexible photovoltaics. He holds numerous patents, was elevated to Fellowship in the American Institute of Architects in 1996, and is a LEED Green Associate. Todd was the 2011 recipient of the Bruce Wodetzki Award. Earlier startups included FTL Solar (2006) and FTL Design Engineering Studio (1977).
Robert
CO-Founder and Vice President
Robert has successfully led new technology development programs for NASA, the U.S. Army, and the U.S. Air Force, all in the area of lightweight deployable structures. He has been an industry leader in developing new applications for thin film flexible photovoltaics. He is an award-winning designer and inventor, and he is a licensed architect in New York State.
Bjork
Design Team
Bjork enjoys woodworking, robotics, digital art, coding, and building Legos for fun. In fact, he even teaches woodshop, coding, and 3D classes in his free time. Bjork grew up in Denmark before attending the Southern California Institute of Architecture. His favorite part about working at Pvilion is making things run smoothly. Bjork’s motto is “everything is relative, so let’s make it relatively amazing.”
Kyuchan
Design Team
Kyuchan joined Pvilion in 2018 after earning a degree in architecture from Pratt Institute. He worked as a junior designer for one year while attending Columbia’s GSAPP, where he graduated with his master’s degree in advanced architectural design. After graduation, he rejoined the Pvilion design team full-time. In addition to studying engineering for fun, he also likes watching documentaries and working out.
Mike
Design Team
Mike grew up in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, before attending Ursinus College. He now lives in New York City and enjoys visiting museums whenever he gets the chance. Mike also has a love for coffee and an eye for furniture. He considers the people his favorite part about working at Pvilion.
Tony
Sales + Marketing Team
Tony loves meeting new people and is always looking for opportunities to make connections and learn new things. He was born and raised in the small town of Tamaqua, Pennsylvania. Today, he resides in upstate New York and loves spending time with his family or out in the great outdoors. He is also passionate about caring for rescue animals and even has two adopted rescue cats, Harley and Jayde.
Julia
Sales + Marketing Team
Julia graduated from Appalachian State University, where she studied marketing, loved hiking the Blue Ridge Mountains, and sold produce from a roadside stand. Now she lives in Brooklyn and specializes in “all things marketing” for Pvilion. When she isn’t writing newsletters or taking Zoom calls, she enjoys trying new recipes or continuing her search for the best taco in Brooklyn.
Udoka
Engineering Team
Udoka attended Cornell University and graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. His favorite part about working at Pvilion is getting to practice creative problem-solving with electronics. Udoka is passionate about playing the electric guitar and maintaining and modifying vintage tube guitar amplifiers in his free time. When he’s not doing that, he is probably at the park with his dog, Charlemagne.
Cassidy
Engineering Team
Cassidy graduated from Stony Brook University, where he studied mechanical engineering and minored in computer science. After college, he pursued post-graduate studies with certifications in data science and machine learning. He is passionate about chess and can sometimes be found playing games in different parks throughout New York City.
Liat
Engineering Team
Liat loves watching reality television and social strategy games and discussing them with her friends. She grew up in Berkeley, California, and attended Duke University, where she studied mechanical engineering. When the weather is nice, she likes running, biking, and anything else that will get her outside. Liat can also usually be found spending quality time with her cherished black cat, Yuzu Belly.
Raymond
Engineering Team
Raymond studied mechanical engineering at the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, where he was also president of the juggling club and team captain for the motorsports club. Most recently, Raymond has picked up 3D printing as a hobby, which is now his go-to for any last-minute gifts. He is also fluent in Cantonese, which he uses for snagging good bargains in Chinatown.
Akim
Production Team
Akim is a Brooklyn native with passions ranging from podcasting to sneakers. He is interested in studying the science behind solar energy and plans to start a podcast about it soon. Akim has traveled to Grenada, the “Spice Island,” and volunteers at a local food pantry on the weekends. His favorite part about working at Pvilion is collaborating with a supportive and hardworking team.
Alvin
Production Team
Alvin can usually be found spending time cooking, playing sports, and hanging out with his kids. He was born and raised in New York City and is a volunteer basketball referee and coach in his spare time. One of Alvin’s greatest strengths is being a quick learner, which is why he loves learning new things everyday at Pvilion.
C’iera
Production Team
C’iera is passionate about empowering others to feel more confident by running her own natural lash and eyebrow business in her spare time. She is a Brooklyn native and enjoys taking her dog, Ice, on long walks at the park. C’iera loves learning new things, which is why her favorite part of working at Pvilion is getting to learn as she goes. She especially appreciates learning about each component of the production process and understanding the “how” and the “why.”
