Outer Spaces has launched with an $8 million pre-seed financing round and unveiled OS1, a modular outdoor structure that integrates residential solar generation and battery storage into a backyard pavilion and deck. Upfront Ventures led the funding, with participation from Unlock Venture Partners, Mucker Capital and Genius Ventures.
Outer Spaces was founded by Jiake Liu, Terry Lin and Robin Liao, the team behind direct-to-consumer outdoor living brand Outer.
The company is seeking to create a new category that combines outdoor living space with residential energy infrastructure.
Its first product, OS1, combines a solar pavilion with a power deck containing ultra-thin battery storage beneath the finished outdoor surface.
The system is designed to generate electricity during the day, store energy and provide backup power while also creating usable backyard space.
OS1 will initially be offered in two sizes, 12 feet by 12 feet and 12 feet by 24 feet, creating either 144 or 288 square feet of finished outdoor space.
Homeowners can configure the structures for applications including outdoor living rooms, kitchens, dining areas, offices, gyms and wellness spaces.
Depending on the configuration, systems will provide between 2.4 and 5.3 kilowatts of solar generation and between 15 and 60 kilowatt-hours of battery storage.
Outer Spaces is designing the platform as a modular product that can be assembled on site with minimal or no excavation.
The company said installation does not require traditional concrete pouring or lumber cutting, with a licensed electrician connecting the completed energy system to the home.
The approach is intended to offer an alternative to conventional rooftop solar panels and wall- or garage-mounted battery systems by incorporating the energy technology into an architectural feature homeowners can use.
Initial availability is planned for 2027, beginning in Southern California and select additional markets.
Outer Spaces plans to sell directly to homeowners online and through solar installers, builders, landscapers, developers and designers.
Pricing is expected to be announced in early 2027.
The company will use its pre-seed funding to expand its team and develop channel partnerships.
Outer Spaces also plans to publicly demonstrate OS1 at RE+ 2026 in Las Vegas in November.
KEY QUOTES:
“The land and sunlight outside our homes are two of our most valuable, yet underutilized resources. At the same time, the technology needed to generate and store energy at homes already exists. We believe power should do more than run a house. It should expand how you live in it. Rather than asking homeowners to compromise the appearance and safety of their homes, we’re giving them more livable space that also powers it.”
Jiake Liu, Co-Founder and CEO of Outer Spaces
“People care how their homes look, yet the solar industry has asked them to stop caring. We approached residential energy as an architectural and consumer-design challenge to create a space people would want in their backyard.”
Terry Lin, Co-Founder and Chief Design Officer of Outer Spaces
“Having personally gone through a painfully slow and expensive backyard deck construction project and solar installation, I wish Outer Spaces had existed. Thrilled to back Jiake and Terry again in this new vision: they have invented a beautiful, flexible backyard space that provides seamless home energy independence, and the best part is it doesn’t require full construction crews and lengthy permitting.”
Kevin Zhang, General Partner at Upfront Ventures
