DSD Renewables
DSD Renewables is a U.S. distributed solar and storage developer that finances, builds, and operates rooftop, canopy, ground-mount, and community solar projects for commercial, industrial, government, educational, and community-solar customers across 22+ states, having deployed over 1.1 GW since its 2019 founding.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What DSD Renewables does
DSD Renewables (Distributed Solar Development, LLC) is a U.S. developer of distributed-scale solar and energy storage projects, founded in 2019 and headquartered in Schenectady, New York. The company develops, finances, builds, owns, and operates rooftop, canopy/carport, ground-mount, and community solar installations paired with battery storage for commercial, industrial, government, educational, and community solar subscribers, with operations across more than 22 states and over 1.1 GW deployed since launch. Its core technology stack is a centralized project-development and asset-management platform (DSD Connect) supported by a Developer Network that aggregates origination from third-party channel partners, plus proprietary solar canopy designs and what the company describes as the first asset-backed securitization structure specifically for community solar cash flows.
DSD generates revenue through three streams: one-time project development fees and equity returns from constructed projects; tax-equity syndication and structured-finance transaction fees; and long-term, recurring payments under power purchase agreements (PPAs) with on-site offtakers and community solar subscribers. Go-to-market mixes direct enterprise sales into C&I and institutional customers with a partner-driven model through the Developer Network and procurement channels such as SPURR REAP for public agencies. DSD was originally backed by BlackRock and GE, has raised more than $2 billion of project capital through relationships with lenders including Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, Credit Suisse, U.S. Bank, Nomura, and MUFG, and became a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises following a $250 million strategic investment in November 2023.
DSD Renewables firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DSD Renewables
- Legal name
- Distributed Solar Development, LLC
- Website
- https://dsdrenewables.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- DSD Renewables is a U.S. distributed solar and storage developer that finances, builds, and operates rooftop, canopy, ground-mount, and community solar projects for commercial, industrial, government, educational, and community-solar customers across 22+ states, having deployed over 1.1 GW since its 2019 founding.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DSD Renewables industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Solar Energy Project Development
- NAICS
- Solar Electric Power Generation (221114)
- SIC
- Electric Services (4911)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Solar Project Development & IPP (Utility-Scale & Rooftop) (EUAMABAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Community Solar Development & Subscription Management (EUAMAJAA), Solar Financing, Leasing & Ownership Platforms (Tax Equity, PPA, Securitization) (EUAMABAJ), Renewable Distributed Generation (Rooftop/Onsite Solar, Small Wind, Small Hydro) (EUACALAJ)
Keywords
Where DSD Renewables is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
DSD Renewables business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Solar Project Development: Developing solar and storage projects for commercial, industrial, government, and community solar customers. Revenue generated through project development fees and equity returns from completed projects.
- Tax Equity Financing: Structured tax equity investments from financial institutions enabling project financing. DSD syndicates tax credits and accelerated depreciation benefits to investors.
- Power Purchase Agreements: Long-term PPAs with customers providing solar power at negotiated rates, generating recurring revenue over project lifecycles.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
DSD Renewables product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DSD Renewables develops, constructs, finances, and operates distributed solar and energy storage projects for commercial, industrial, government, and community solar customers across the United States. The company delivers rooftop, ground-mount, and solar canopy installations, paired with battery storage, and structures long-term Power Purchase Agreements plus tax equity and asset-backed securitization financing to enable deployment at scale.
Product overview
DSD Renewables (Distributed Solar Development) is a solar and energy storage project developer offering a comprehensive suite of solutions for commercial, industrial, and community solar clients. The company develops, finances, and deploys distributed solar projects across the United States, including rooftop, canopy/carport, and ground-mount installations. DSD provides project development services, integrated energy storage solutions, community solar programs, and various financing mechanisms including tax equity investments and asset-backed securitizations. The company operates through its Developer Network platform and actively acquires solar projects and portfolios from other developers to expand its deployment capacity.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Solar Project Development
Quantifiable outcome
- Average reduction in energy costs for customers
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use DSD Renewables
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
DSD Renewables technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
DSD Renewables partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Baker ElectriccoreCompleted 797 kW solar and 1.14 MWh storage project for Frontwave Arena, partnering on project implementation.
- General Energy CorporationcoreCompleted 675 kW rooftop solar project for Elmhurst Park District in Illinois.
- SPURRcoreSecured master contract for California public agency solar program, offering pre-negotiated pricing for solar and energy storage through SPURR's REAP Program.
- Black Bear EnergycoreMultiple solar installations completed together including 1.7 MW projects with The Muller Company and 1.4 MW Pleasanton office park project.
- Mission EnergycorePartnered to deliver 701 kW rooftop solar for Marian Catholic High School in Chicago area.
- New Energy EquityminorAcquired 15 MW community solar portfolio in Minnesota from New Energy Equity.
- New Leaf EnergyminorAcquired 11.8 MW community solar-plus-storage project from New Leaf Energy.
- BorregominorAcquired six-site community solar-plus-storage portfolio from Borrego.
- Sunset DevelopmentcoreWorld's largest multicampus solar + storage installation at Bishop Ranch Business Center in San Ramon, California.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
DSD Renewables competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- ENGIE Distributed Solar: ENGIE's distributed solar arm develops C&I, community, and public-sector solar in the U.S. as part of a global utility platform. Overlaps with DSD's offerings but with broader incumbent scale.
- Lightsource bp: Lightsource bp is a global solar developer with growing U.S. distributed and utility-scale operations. Comparable in project development and financing, but operates at significantly larger scale as part of bp's energy platform.
- EDF Renewables Distributed Solutions: EDF Renewables Distributed Solutions (including the former groSolar business) develops C&I and community solar at scale as part of EDF's broader renewables portfolio. Comparable offering, but as part of a much larger incumbent utility/developer.
- Forefront Power (AES): Forefront Power, now part of AES, develops C&I, public-sector, and community solar projects across the U.S. Comparable customer base and project types, with AES providing deeper balance-sheet backing.
Direct peers
- Pivot Energy: Pivot Energy is a national C&I and community solar developer developing projects across multiple U.S. states with PPA and subscription models. Highly comparable to DSD in target customer segments, geography, and financing structure.
- Cypress Creek Renewables: Cypress Creek is one of the largest U.S. developers of solar and storage projects, with significant C&I and community solar exposure. Directly comparable scale and go-to-market to DSD Renewables.
- Nautilus Solar Energy: Nautilus develops, owns, and operates community solar projects across multiple U.S. states. Comparable in community-solar focus, subscription management, and project-acquisition strategy to DSD.
- Solar Landscape: Solar Landscape is a commercial rooftop and community solar developer active primarily in the Northeast U.S. Closely comparable to DSD in rooftop and community solar focus and regional concentration.
- Solstice: Solstice is a community solar subscription and project development platform connecting subscribers to community solar farms. Comparable to DSD's community solar development and subscriber-management capabilities.
- Ecogy Energy: Ecogy Energy is a distributed solar developer focused on community solar and C&I projects across multiple U.S. states. Directly comparable business model and customer mix to DSD.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
DSD Renewables social profiles
Digital presenceDSD Renewables compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
DSD Renewables financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DSD Renewables leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
DSD Renewables funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds11 records
Investors11 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DSD Renewables 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 DSD Renewables
What does DSD Renewables do?
DSD Renewables develops, constructs, finances, and operates distributed solar and energy storage projects for commercial, industrial, government, and community solar customers across the United States. The company delivers rooftop, ground-mount, and solar canopy installations, paired with battery storage, and structures long-term Power Purchase Agreements plus tax equity and asset-backed securitization financing to enable deployment at scale.
Is DSD Renewables a public or private company?
DSD Renewables is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was DSD Renewables founded?
DSD Renewables was founded in 2019. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is DSD Renewables based?
DSD Renewables is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does DSD Renewables make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Solar Project Development is the primary driver. The others are tax Equity Financing and power Purchase Agreements.
Who are DSD Renewables's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are ENGIE Distributed Solar, Lightsource bp, EDF Renewables Distributed Solutions and Forefront Power (AES). Direct peers are Pivot Energy, Cypress Creek Renewables, Nautilus Solar Energy, Solar Landscape, Solstice and Ecogy Energy.
Does DSD Renewables have an API?
No public API is recorded for DSD Renewables.
What industry is DSD Renewables in?
DSD Renewables's product category is Solar Energy Project Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAMABAA, Solar Project Development & IPP (Utility-Scale & Rooftop), with a secondary code of EUAMAJAA, Community Solar Development & Subscription Management. Its NAICS code is 221114 and its SIC code is 4911.