Energy retrofits
Solar Landscape
Solar Landscape develops, builds, owns and operates rooftop solar and battery storage projects on commercial and industrial buildings. It describes itself as a distributed energy infrastructure platform: the projects are front-of-the-meter, meaning the electricity supports the local grid rather than only the host building, and eligible households and businesses subscribe to the output as community solar and receive bill credits.
For a property owner, the arrangement is a lease. Solar Landscape leases the rooftop, then develops, finances, engineers, permits, builds, operates and maintains the system, and the owner receives long-term lease revenue without putting up capital or running equipment. The company is vertically integrated and controls the full process, which it says lets projects come online in as little as 12 months. It also sells storage and its Baseload product to utilities and data center developers, and engages on utility and regulatory programs.
The company was founded in 2012 and is privately held, backed by institutional capital. It reports more than 170 commercial real estate partners and over 500 projects representing 750+ MWdc, and lists offices in Asbury Park, New York City, Hanover (Maryland) and Arlington Heights (Illinois). In 2023 it launched a community solar portfolio with Public Storage that it describes as the largest in the country at the time, and it has been named the top commercial rooftop solar developer by Solar Power World.
Whether a specific building qualifies depends on the local utility program as much as the roof. The site says the best candidates typically have at least 40,000 square feet of usable rooftop and a roof replaced within the last seven years or due for replacement within three, with structural condition, electrical infrastructure and utility service territory evaluated property by property. Lease rates are not published.
Best for
Owners of large industrial, warehouse, retail, office or self-storage roofs - typically 40,000 square feet and up with a newer roof - who want lease income without capital outlay. Not for owners who want to own and operate the system themselves.
What they do
- Commercial rooftop solar development
- Rooftop lease payments to property owners
- Battery energy storage projects
- Community solar subscriptions for households and businesses
- Engineering, permitting and construction
- Long-term operations and maintenance
- Utility and regulatory engagement
- Distributed capacity for data center developers
Details
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2012 |
| Ownership | Private |
| Other offices | New York, NY, Hanover, MD, Arlington Heights, IL |
What stands out
- Reports more than 170 commercial real estate partners and over 500 projects representing 750+ MWdc.
- Says distributed solar and storage can be deployed in as little as 12 months.
- Founded in 2012; in 2023 it launched a community solar portfolio with Public Storage serving more than 10,000 homes.
- Offices in Asbury Park, New York City, Hanover (MD) and Arlington Heights (IL).
- Qualifying rooftops typically have at least 40,000 square feet of usable space.
Common questions
- How does a rooftop solar lease work for the property owner?
- Solar Landscape leases rooftop space from the owner, then develops, finances, owns and operates the project, managing engineering, permitting, construction, operations and maintenance. The owner receives predictable long-term lease payments without investing capital, buying equipment or managing the system.
- Which commercial properties qualify for rooftop solar?
- Warehouses, distribution centers, manufacturing facilities, retail centers, office buildings, self-storage facilities and other large commercial assets. The best candidates typically have at least 40,000 square feet of usable rooftop and a roof replaced within the last seven years or scheduled for replacement within the next three. Structural condition, electrical infrastructure, utility territory and local rules are evaluated per property.
- What is community solar?
- Community solar lets households and businesses benefit from a local solar project without installing panels on their own property. Eligible subscribers receive credits on their electricity bills, which makes solar available to renters, apartment residents and owners whose roofs are unsuitable.
- What is front-of-the-meter distributed energy?
- Front-of-the-meter projects connect to the local electric distribution system and supply the grid broadly rather than only the site they sit on. Solar Landscape develops front-of-the-meter rooftop solar and battery storage on commercial real estate so utilities can add local supply and capacity.