Avantus
Avantus is a utility-scale solar and energy storage developer serving utilities, CCAs, and corporate buyers in the Western U.S. with an integrated solar-plus-storage product platform, monetizing through long-term PPAs, build-transfer agreements, and project sales.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Avantus does
Avantus is a utility-scale solar and solar-plus-storage project developer headquartered in San Diego, California, focused on the Western United States. Founded in 2009 as 8minutenergy Renewables and rebranded to Avantus in 2022, the company develops, finances, constructs, and operates large-scale renewable energy projects across California, Arizona, Texas, Nevada, and Utah. Its technology platform pairs utility-scale photovoltaic generation with integrated battery energy storage in named product configurations — Avantus Baseload, Peaker, Super Peaker, Flex, Sundown, Stretch, Seasonal, and Solar Only — protected by 26+ U.S. patents and additional Australian and Canadian filings. The company has cumulatively developed and sold 6.5 GWp of solar and 6.3 GWh of storage, has over 5 GW operating or under construction, and manages a 24-30 GW solar / 75-94 GWh storage development pipeline.
Avantus monetizes through multiple channels: long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with utilities, municipalities, community choice aggregators, and corporate buyers (including Toyota Motor North America and Amazon via AES); Build-Transfer Agreements for utilities and large industrial customers; asset management services for operating assets; and project sales to institutional buyers such as D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI), AES, and Gore Street Energy Storage Fund. Customers include Arizona Public Service, San Diego Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, LADWP, Pacific Gas & Electric, Toyota, Amazon, and several California CCAs. The company is majority-owned by KKR with EIG as sole minority equity partner; combined committed capital exceeds $1 billion, supplemented by a $522 million corporate development facility and project-level debt and tax equity from lenders including Truist, BBVA, CIBC, ING, Mizuho, and SMBC. Recent CEO Cliff Graham (formerly operating chief) succeeded founder Dr. Tom Buttgenbach following the 2024 KKR transaction, alongside new CFO David Flory and CDO Venkatesh Inti.
Avantus firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Avantus
- Legal name
- Avantus LLC
- Website
- https://avantus.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Avantus is a utility-scale solar and energy storage developer serving utilities, CCAs, and corporate buyers in the Western U.S. with an integrated solar-plus-storage product platform, monetizing through long-term PPAs, build-transfer agreements, and project sales.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Avantus industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Utility-Scale Solar and Energy Storage Development
- NAICS
- Solar Electric Power Generation (221114), Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211)
- SIC
- Electric Services (4911)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Utility-Scale Generator PPAs (Project Offtake) (EUAGADAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Hybrid PPAs (Renewables + Storage) & Firm Renewable Products (EUAGADAI), C&I PPAs & Virtual PPAs (VPPA) Origination & Management (EUAGACAF), PPA Origination, Structuring & Offtake Contracting (Physical/Financial, Sleeves) (EUAMAMAD)
Keywords
Where Avantus is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Avantus business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs): Avantus develops and operates solar and storage projects, selling the full output to customers through long-term virtual power purchase agreements. Revenue is generated from the sale of electricity and associated renewable energy attributes (RECs) under long-term contracts with utilities, municipalities, and corporate buyers.
- Build-Transfer Agreements (BTAs): For utilities and large-load customers seeking long-term ownership, Avantus manages every stage from development through construction and commissioning, delivering fully operational projects. Revenue recognized upon transfer of ownership.
- Asset Management Services: Avantus manages operating assets with focus on long-term performance including dispatch, monitoring, O&M, performance engineering, reporting, storage augmentation, and system upgrades. Ongoing revenue from asset management contracts.
- Project Development and Sale: Avantus develops projects from greenfield concept through permitting, engineering, and construction, then sells completed projects to buyers like DESRI. Revenue from project sales with long-term PPAs included or pre-arranged.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Avantus product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Avantus develops, builds, owns, and operates utility-scale solar and solar-plus-storage projects across the Western United States. The company sells power through long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) directly to utilities, municipalities, community choice aggregators, and corporate buyers, while also delivering projects via Build-Transfer Agreements and providing ongoing asset management services for operating assets.
Product overview
Avantus is a utility-scale solar and energy storage developer offering integrated solar-plus-storage solutions across the Western United States. The company's product portfolio centers on integrated solar and storage technology that delivers flexible, predictable power to the grid long after sunset. Named product lines include Avantus Baseload (high-efficiency baseload solar at 60% summer capacity factor), Avantus Peaker, Avantus Super Peaker, Avantus Flex, Avantus Sundown (extended evening generation), Avantus Stretch (extended duration storage), Avantus Seasonal, and Avantus Solar Only. Avantus develops, builds, and operates projects across California, Arizona, Texas, and Nevada, with notable projects including Aratina 1 (200 MW/500 MWh), Kitt Solar (100 MWac/400 MWh), Norton Solar (159 MW), Bellefield 1 & 2, and the Eagle Shadow Mountain project. The company manages the full project lifecycle from greenfield development through construction and asset management.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Integrated Solar and Storage
Quantifiable outcome
- 30 GW solar / 94 GWh storage pipeline capable of powering 20 million people
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Avantus
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Avantus technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Feature11 records
Avantus partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.
- Toyota Motor North AmericamajorToyota Motor North America entered into a virtual power purchase agreement for the output of the 159 MW Norton Solar Project developed by Avantus and Toyota Tsusho America. Project supports Toyota's clean energy goals and climate targets.
- D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI)majorDESRI acquired the Catclaw Solar and Energy Storage Project from Avantus for approximately 225 MWac solar and 250 MW/1,000 MWh storage capacity. This is the fourth project Avantus has sold to DESRI. DESRI expects to bring Catclaw online in 2026.
- Toyota Tsusho America (TAI)majorAvantus and Toyota Tsusho America collaborated to develop the Norton Solar Project in Texas. Construction began August 2024 and achieved substantial completion October 2025. TAI signed a virtual power purchase agreement with Toyota Motor North America for the project's full output.
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM)coreBLM partnered with Avantus on the Onyx Conservation Project, retiring grazing rights on 215,000 acres of public land in Kern County for permanent wildlife habitat protection. This first-of-its-kind conservation effort balances clean energy development with ecosystem preservation.
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)coreCDFW partnered with Avantus on the Onyx Conservation Project to protect 215,000 acres of critical California habitat and wildlife, including the western Joshua Tree and 20 sensitive wildlife species. The project retires grazing rights for land mitigation, preserving a contiguous desert ecosystem.
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)coreUSFWS partnered with Avantus on the Onyx Conservation Project, contributing to one of the largest mitigation projects in the nation. The project protects critical habitat for endangered species including the California condor and Mojave desert tortoise.
- Arizona Public Service (APS)coreAPS signed power purchase agreements with Avantus for multiple projects including Kitt Solar (100 MWac/130 MWdc + 400 MWh) and Catclaw Solar (225 MWac + 250 MW/1,000 MWh). APS serves as the utility offtaker for these projects in Arizona.
- FluencemajorFluence supplies battery storage technology for the Kitt Solar and Energy Storage Project in Arizona. Fluence is a leading global energy storage technology provider specializing in grid-scale battery energy storage systems.
- RES (Renewable Energy Systems)majorRES provides engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services for the Kitt Solar and Energy Storage Project in Arizona. RES is a global renewable energy company specializing in project development and construction.
- Central Coast Community EnergymajorCentral Coast Community Energy is an offtaker for the Aratina 1 solar and storage project in Kern County, California. As a community choice aggregator, they procure clean energy on behalf of communities in California's Central Coast region.
- Silicon Valley Clean EnergymajorSilicon Valley Clean Energy is an offtaker for the Aratina 1 solar and storage project in Kern County, California. As a community choice aggregator, they provide clean electricity to communities in Silicon Valley.
- AESmajorAES is the owner of Bellefield 1 (641 MWdc and 2,000 MWh) and Bellefield 2 (663 MWdc and 2,000 MWh) projects, with Amazon as the offtaker. Avantus developed these projects in collaboration with AES.
- Gore Street Energy Storage FundmajorGore Street Energy Storage Fund owns the Big Rock 1 energy storage project (400 MWh) in Imperial County, California. Avantus developed this project which is now operational.
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)coreAvantus has a long-standing partnership with IBEW and local unions. Every project built in California and the Southwest has been constructed with IBEW members. This partnership brings skilled construction workforce including panel installers and state-certified journeyman electricians to Avantus projects.
- White & CaseminorWhite & Case served as legal counsel to Avantus for the $300 million tax equity investment in the Aratina 1 solar and storage project. Global law firm providing legal advisory services for complex financing transactions.
- Foley & Lardner LLPminorFoley & Lardner served as legal counsel for Avantus on the sale of the Catclaw Solar and Energy Storage Project to DESRI.
Scale indicators16 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Avantus competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- AES Clean Energy: Utility-scale solar and storage developer in the U.S. with overlapping Western U.S. projects; AES is the co-developer/owner of Bellefield 1 and 2 with Avantus and Amazon as offtaker, making it the most direct comparable on project profile, customer base, and pipeline scale.
- Clearway Energy: Publicly traded utility-scale renewables operator and developer with a large Western U.S. solar and storage portfolio; directly competes with Avantus in CAISO and Desert Southwest RFPs for utility and CCA offtakes.
- Recurrent Energy: Canadian Solar's project development arm and one of the largest utility-scale solar+storage developers in the U.S., with significant Western U.S. exposure; highly comparable in business model (PPA origination, project sales to investors) and product mix.
- EDF Renewables North America: Major utility-scale renewable developer with significant solar and storage projects in California, Arizona, and Texas; competes head-to-head with Avantus for utility PPAs and corporate offtakes in the Western U.S.
- Lightsource bp: Global utility-scale solar developer and operator with substantial U.S. solar and storage activity; directly competes with Avantus in C&I and utility solar+storage origination across the Western U.S.
- Arevon Energy: U.S. utility-scale solar and storage developer (formerly 8point3 Energy Partners) with a multi-GW operating and development portfolio; comparable on customer mix (utilities, CCAs, corporates), pipeline scale, and Western U.S. geographic focus.
- Cypress Creek Renewables: Independent U.S. solar and storage developer focused on community solar, utility-scale, and C&I; overlaps with Avantus in Western U.S. project development and corporate offtake origination.
- SB Energy: SoftBank-backed utility-scale solar and storage developer with major Western U.S. projects; directly comparable in pipeline scale, technology approach (integrated solar+storage), and customer profile.
Broad incumbents
- Engie North America: Global energy major with a large North American renewable development arm covering solar, storage, wind, and broader energy services; competes with Avantus on utility-scale solar+storage but with a much broader portfolio and balance sheet.
- Invenergy: Large independent U.S. renewable power developer with solar, storage, wind, and transmission projects across multiple regions; competes with Avantus in utility-scale solar+storage RFPs while also operating adjacent technologies.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Avantus social profiles
Digital presenceAvantus financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Avantus leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Avantus funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds11 records
Investors17 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Avantus M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Avantus
What does Avantus do?
Avantus develops, builds, owns, and operates utility-scale solar and solar-plus-storage projects across the Western United States. The company sells power through long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) directly to utilities, municipalities, community choice aggregators, and corporate buyers, while also delivering projects via Build-Transfer Agreements and providing ongoing asset management services for operating assets.
Is Avantus a public or private company?
Avantus is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was Avantus founded?
Avantus was founded in 2009. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Avantus based?
Avantus is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does Avantus make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) is the primary driver. The others are build-Transfer Agreements (BTAs), asset Management Services and project Development and Sale.
Who are Avantus's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are AES Clean Energy, Clearway Energy, Recurrent Energy, EDF Renewables North America, Lightsource bp, Arevon Energy, Cypress Creek Renewables and SB Energy. Broad incumbents are Engie North America and Invenergy.
Does Avantus have an API?
No public API is recorded for Avantus.
What industry is Avantus in?
Avantus's product category is Utility-Scale Solar and Energy Storage Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAGADAB, Utility-Scale Generator PPAs (Project Offtake), with a secondary code of EUAGADAI, Hybrid PPAs (Renewables + Storage) & Firm Renewable Products. Its NAICS code is 221114 and its SIC code is 4911.