Spanish Startup ImpactE is Powering the Urban Energy Transition

The story of ImpactE began in 2020 at the Polytechnic University of Valencia. Enrique Fuster Palop, one of the founders, was working on his master’s thesis under the guidance of his future partners. Together, they developed a prototype – a model that could assess the energy potential of entire municipalities.

Today, that idea has evolved into a powerful tool for the urban transition. In just five years, the Valencia-based SME has scaled rapidly, working with over 100 municipalities across Spain to empower citizens with the data they need to embrace solar energy.

Solar energy is more accessible than ever, yet many people hesitate to make the switch because of uncertainty. They wonder if their roof has enough space, if the orientation is right, or if shadows will lower performance. Above all, they want to know if the investment will actually pay off.

ImpactE solves this problem with their interactive solar maps. These digital tools allow anyone to find their own building and instantly see its energy potential. With just one click, the platform removes the guesswork by providing a clear recommendation for the best solar installation for that specific property.

The maps are currently available in several locations across Spain. Try it yourself with the map of Valencia city.

Beyond solar maps, ImpactE delivers solutions across the rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) value chain, helping municipalities define effective deployment strategies for public buildings. The startup identifies high-potential roofs and designs tailored self-consumption approaches, including collective schemes that can supply multiple municipal loads while optimising costs. They also provide management, monitoring, and alerting tools through their E·Manager platform, designed for installers, energy community managers, and other stakeholders, ensuring reliable operation and tangible benefits for end users.

The leap into transnational R&I

While ImpactE had already found success in Spain, the DUT Partnership has served as an important bridge to the international stage. As a key business partner alongside the Polytechnic University of Madrid, ImpactE is a central component of the POSEIDON project. Together with partners across the Mediterranean, they are developing the tools and methods necessary to transform existing neighbourhoods into Positive Energy Districts (PEDs).

For an SME, participating in a transnational research and innovation (R&I) project is about more than just funding; it is about getting exposure and new perspectives. "It’s been a great experience. Most of our partners are architects, and we are energy engineers and developers," says Enrique. "They provide a different perspective on how to address solutions for our tools. It also allowed us to talk directly with municipalities in Portugal, Italy, Turkey, and Rome, discovering that they all share common concerns: solar energy, water scarcity, and the need for nature-based solutions."

This exchange of ideas is precisely why Enrique believes it is essential for SMEs to work alongside universities and public actors. While academic research is vital, he argues that SMEs provide the "practical view" that keeps innovation grounded. 

"We are the bridge between theoretical research and the real world," he explains. "Research is sometimes decades ahead of current problems. Our role is to find how a client will actually benefit from a solution. The market is very democratic. It tells you very quickly if a tool is useful or if it’s too expensive compared to other solutions."

Looking ahead: retrofitting and expansion

Participation in the DUT project has allowed ImpactE the rare luxury of long-term thinking. While their daily business is currently dominated by PV technology, the project has allowed them to develop new products, such as retrofitting solutions.

"Next year, we want to put a solution for retrofitting on the market," Enrique says. He also has his sights set on international expansion, with Portugal and Italy as the primary candidates due to their similar regulations and technical constraints.

Advice for SMEs

For companies hesitant to take the step into international R&I, Enrique’s advice is simple: look at the long game.

"It’s a nice opportunity to spend time working in the long term. It gives you stability and allows you to build relationships that last beyond the project." For ImpactE, the end of the project is just the beginning of their international journey.

Want to see how ImpactE’s solutions can be adapted to your city, company, or energy community?

Visit their website, urbanimpacte.com, to learn more.