How I’m Building the First Foundation Model for Solar Forecasting With SOLAR-TFT

From PhD research to a real-world SaaS platform, I’m using generative AI to bring accurate, scalable solar forecasting to grid operators and energy innovators worldwide.

Name: Louiza Ait Mouloud

Company: SOLAR-TFT LLC

Employee Size: 0

Technology Tools: Generative AI, Solar Forecasting

Year Founded: 2025

Website: www.solartft.com

Introduction:

My name is Louiza Ait Mouloud, founder of SOLAR-TFT LLC. SOLAR-TFT is to solar power what OpenAI is to language and Nixtla is to time series. We're building the first foundation model for solar power forecasting. Our MVP, SolarTFT, enables users to upload solar data and receive fast, interpretable, probabilistic forecasts no machine learning team needed. Even at this early stage, we're helping grid operators and solar companies with enterprise-grade prediction.

Before launching SOLAR-TFT, I was a PhD student in electrical engineering, specializing in solar forecasting. My doctoral research focused on deep learning models like Temporal Fusion Transformers and hybrid architectures to improve solar energy prediction. After graduation, I realized that I didn’t want my work to stay only in research papers I wanted to bring it to life, turn it into a real-world product, and create impact through innovation.

The Inspiration Behind SOLAR-TFT:

When ChatGPT came out, I had a lightbulb moment. I realized that the architecture behind it, trained on language data, could be adapted for other domains. I thought: what if I trained a similar model but for solar data? That idea pushed me to experiment with foundational models for solar forecasting. The concept grew stronger as I tested it during my PhD, and eventually, it became the core of SOLAR-TFT.

From Idea to Reality:

I started with a clear mission: bring advanced solar forecasting to the real world. First, I built an MVP using the deep learning models I developed during my PhD. I tested it with historical solar data, fine-tuned performance, and designed a simple web interface. Since I'm a solo founder, I also had to learn basic startup tools, legal setup, and product-market fit strategies. I joined an incubator, reached out to experts, and began pitching the idea. The process is still ongoing, but the foundation is set and SOLAR-TFT is officially registered in the U.S.

Attracting Customers:

I’m still in the early stages we officially launched just three months ago. Right now, my strategy is to collect as much feedback as possible from potential users. I’m offering demos to researchers, incubators, and energy professionals to understand their needs. I plan to refine the product based on this feedback and build a scalable version. Later, I want to market it on AWS Marketplace, forums like Reddit, LinkedIn, and through academic networks.

Overcoming Challenges:

I'm a solo founder from Algeria, building a U.S.-based startup. That alone comes with legal, logistical, and cultural challenges. I don’t have a local network in the U.S., and I’m operating in a niche field that few people fully understand. However, my PhD gave me deep expertise, and I’ve stayed committed to learning everything else entrepreneurship, pitching, branding, legal frameworks on my own. It’s tough, but the mission keeps me going.

Costs & Revenue:

My biggest costs right now are cloud computing, software licenses, and legal setup for the U.S. company. Since we're still early, there's no revenue yet, but the foundation is being laid to build a profitable SaaS platform.

A Day In The Life:

There’s no such thing as “free time” when you're a founder! I wake up every day at 3 AM to meditate, stretch, and train (I’m also a martial artist). After that, my full focus is on building my startup coding, refining the product, connecting with mentors, pitching, and learning everything I can about business development. I handle design, strategy, technical improvements, and admin all on my own. It’s a high-discipline lifestyle, but I love every part of it. My entire day is dedicated to growing SOLAR-TFT and turning it into a real-world solution.

Vision for SOLAR-TFT:

I envision SOLAR-TFT becoming the global leader in solar forecasting. I want to make high-accuracy solar predictions accessible to everyone from large energy providers to individual solar users. Long-term, we’ll offer a suite of tools powered by AI to optimize renewable energy integration, contributing to sustainability and the green transition globally.

Guiding Principals for Entrepreneurial Success:

Start before you feel ready. Don’t wait for perfect conditions. If you believe in your idea, build a prototype, talk to people, and keep going. Also, being an entrepreneur is hard you’ll face doubt, fatigue, and loneliness but stay focused on your “why.” And lastly, learn to pitch yourself with clarity and confidence. Your belief in the project is contagious.

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