Luminia
Luminia is a San Diego-based solar and battery storage developer that finances, installs, owns, and operates commercial, industrial, and community projects using property-based PPA structures requiring no upfront capital from property owners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersSan Diego, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Luminia does
Luminia is a privately held, San Diego-based renewable energy developer founded in 2019 by David Field and Jim Kelly. The company finances, installs, owns, and operates commercial, industrial, and community-based solar and battery storage projects through proprietary financing structures — primarily the Clean Energy PPA, Credit Based PPA, and C-PACE loans — that eliminate upfront costs to property owners by underwriting on real property value rather than on personal or corporate creditworthiness. This allows Luminia to serve non-investment-grade tenants, multi-party ownership structures, and entities (municipalities, school districts, nonprofits, religious organizations) typically excluded by traditional solar financiers.
The technology stack comprises three proprietary components: an AI-driven property prequalification and portfolio analysis platform that enables instant deal screening; a Clean Energy PPA pricing/proposal engine that integrates into Energy Toolbase's ETB Developer platform so third-party developers can quote Luminia financing in-platform; and a production monitoring and tenant billing system used to manage multi-tenant commercial REIT portfolios across multiple states. Co-founder Jim Kelly holds a pending patent (Tellus Process) developed through prior work at Tellus Technology.
Revenue is generated primarily through long-term power purchase agreements — 25 years for solar-plus-storage, 10 years for standalone storage — where Luminia owns the system and sells electricity to end customers at discounted rates that escalate 1% per year, below typical utility inflation. The company also shares a portion of property lease payments (escalating 2% annually) back to host property owners. Distribution combines direct sales to commercial and industrial property owners, a certified installer partner network (Baker Electric, Brevian Energy, CalSolarInc, HES Renewables, Opal Energy, Teichert Energy), developer/consultant referrals (Safari Energy, ACIP Energy), CCA co-marketing (Clean Energy Alliance), and the ETB Developer platform integration. Customer segments include C&I property owners, multifamily REITs, municipalities, school districts, CCAs, oil and gas operators (California Resources Corporation), agricultural operations, and residential community solar subscribers across California, the broader Southwest, the Northeast (post-2023 acquisition of New Hampshire Solar Garden), Texas, Michigan, and Puerto Rico.
Luminia firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Luminia
- Legal name
- Luminia LLC
- Website
- https://luminia.io
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Luminia is a San Diego-based solar and battery storage developer that finances, installs, owns, and operates commercial, industrial, and community projects using property-based PPA structures requiring no upfront capital from property owners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Luminia industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Commercial Solar and Energy Storage Project Development & Financing
- NAICS
- Solar Electric Power Generation (221114)
- SIC
- Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Corporate PPAs (C&I Offtake; Sleeved/Virtual/Physical) (EUAGADAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Hybrid PPAs (Renewables + Storage) & Firm Renewable Products (EUAGADAI), Retail & Community PPAs (Community Solar/Shared Renewables) (EUAGADAC), PPA Origination, Advisory & Contract Management (Negotiation, Credit, Settlements) (EUAGADAL), DER Financing, Leasing & Billing Platforms (TPO, PPA, On-Bill) (EUAMAJAJ), PPA Origination, Structuring & Offtake Contracting (Physical/Financial, Sleeves) (EUAMAMAD)
Keywords
Where Luminia is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Diego
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Luminia business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Power Purchase Agreement (PPA): Luminia finances, installs, owns, and operates solar and/or storage systems on customer properties. Customers purchase the power generated at a discounted rate locked in for the contract term (25 years for solar+storage, 10 years for standalone storage). The rate increases by 1% per year, below average inflation. Luminia generates recurring revenue from electricity sales over the contract term.
- Property Lease Payments: Property owners receive annual lease payments for hosting solar and/or storage systems on their premises. Lease payments increase by 2% annually. Luminia retains ownership of the system and collects electricity revenue from end customers, sharing a portion as lease income to property owners.
- Battery Storage Equipment Supply: Luminia purchases battery storage systems from suppliers (e.g., NeoVolta) as part of its supply collaboration framework for C&I energy storage deployments. Revenue is generated through the PPA model where stored energy is sold to end customers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Solar + Battery Storage PPA (25-year term) |
| Subscription | Monthly | Standalone Battery Storage (10-year term) |
| Subscription | Annual | Community Energy Lease (20-year term) |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Program Qualification Criteria |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Luminia product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Luminia finances, develops, owns, and operates commercial and community-scale solar and battery storage projects on customer properties under long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and leases, with no upfront cost to property owners. The company offers Clean Energy PPA, Credit Based PPA, and C-PACE financing products, supported by a proprietary AI-driven property prequalification and portfolio analysis platform, and delivers projects through programs such as Solar Plus Business and Community Energy in partnership with Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs).
Product overview
Luminia is a San Diego-based renewable energy developer offering an integrated financing-and-technology platform for commercial and community-based solar and energy storage projects. The core offering consists of proprietary financing products — Clean Energy PPA, Credit Based PPA, and C-PACE loans — that enable commercial property owners to install solar, battery storage, EV charging, and energy efficiency upgrades with zero upfront cost and no personal/corporate guarantees. These financing products are supported by an AI-driven proprietary technology platform that provides instant property pre-qualification, portfolio analysis, production monitoring, and tenant billing. Luminia delivers its solutions through two primary programs: Solar Plus Business (solar-plus-storage or standalone battery storage for commercial/industrial/municipal properties in partnership with CCAs) and Community Energy (rooftop/ground-lease arrangements for community solar and storage projects serving CCA customers).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Clean Energy PPA A proprietary property-based Power Purchase Agreement financing structure that enables commercial property owners to install solar, energy storage, EV charging, and energy efficiency upgrades with zero upfront cost and no personal or corporate guarantees, using the real property as the financing foundation. For property owners and CCAs seeking behind-the-meter clean energy deployment.
- Credit Based PPA An alternative PPA financing option that incorporates creditworthiness assessment alongside property-based underwriting, expanding financing accessibility for commercial property owners who may not qualify under standard property-based financing alone.
- C-PACE (Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy) Loans Property Assessed Clean Energy loan financing that allows commercial property owners to fund solar, energy storage, and energy efficiency upgrades through a special property tax assessment, often with favorable terms and no upfront costs.
- Solar Plus Business Program A turnkey solar and battery storage program offered in partnership with Clean Energy Alliance (CCA) for commercial, industrial, municipal, and school district properties. Luminia finances, installs, owns, and operates solar-plus-storage or standalone battery storage systems at no upfront cost, with energy delivered at rates appearing on the customer's SDG&E bill. Includes 25-year solar+storage PPAs and 10-year standalone storage agreements with annual lease income to property owners.
- Community Energy Program A 20-year community solar and battery storage program in San Diego County and southern Orange County where Luminia leases rooftop or ground space from property owners to develop solar and storage projects that supply renewable energy to Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs) for distribution to local residents and businesses. Includes zero cost and zero maintenance for property owners and an option to purchase qualifying land outright.
Quantifiable outcome
- Property owners offset a large portion of building electricity use with solar + battery storage
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Luminia
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Luminia technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature3 records
Luminia partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Clean Energy Alliance (CEA)coreLuminia and CEA launched the Solar Plus Business program targeting commercial, industrial, municipal, and school district properties in north San Diego County. Luminia installs, owns, and maintains solar and battery storage systems while CEA purchases power and delivers it to customers at rates on their SDG&E bill. Program targets up to 160 MW solar and 640 MWh battery storage. CEA serves over 255,000 customers across 7 cities.
- California Resources Corporation (CRC)minorLuminia finalized project agreements for two solar projects totaling 30 MW for CRC's Mt. Poso (12 MW) and Kern Front (18 MW) oil and gas fields in Kern County. Dispatch Energy acquired the projects from Luminia and serves as long-term owner, builder, and operator.
- NeoVolta Inc.coreLuminia entered a strategic supply collaboration with NeoVolta for battery energy storage systems across California solar-plus-storage projects. NeoVolta received right of first refusal to supply up to 160 MWh of battery storage, representing approximately $39 million in potential equipment revenue. First purchase order of $1.9 million for 40 NVGAIN-125K261 systems received March 2026. Both companies expect the relationship to evolve into joint project execution and expanded product deployments.
- Gables ResidentialminorLuminia completed two solar carport installations totaling 918 kW for Gables Residential at properties in Wildomar and Murrieta, CA. Projects include EV charging stations. Luminia provides ongoing financing and system management.
- Clean Energy Alliance (CEA)coreEarlier partnership between Luminia and CEA bringing 20 MW solar and 20 MW battery storage across Vista, Oceanside, and San Marcos through 25-year PPAs and 10-year Energy Storage Service Agreements, operational starting 2027.
- New Hampshire Solar GardencoreLuminia acquired the assets, development resources, and project pipeline of New Hampshire Solar Garden, including 15 MW of community solar and a portfolio totaling over 218 MW. Founder Andrew Kellar joined Luminia as VP of Development. Luminia now controls the community solar development business across the Northeast.
- Gables ResidentialminorInitial agreement with Gables for custom ESG financing across multiple apartment communities in California, including solar carports and EV charging installations. Luminia analyzed the portfolio to identify and prioritize communities for installations.
- Baker ElectricminorCertified installation partner for the Solar Plus Business program.
- Brevian EnergyminorCertified installation partner for the Solar Plus Business program.
- CalSolarIncminorCertified installation partner for the Solar Plus Business program. Also partner on Gables Oak Creek and Gables Alta Murrieta carport projects.
- HES RenewablesminorCertified installation partner for the Solar Plus Business program.
- Opal EnergyminorCertified installation partner for the Solar Plus Business program.
- Teichert EnergyminorCertified installation partner for the Solar Plus Business program.
- Dispatch EnergyminorDispatch Energy acquired the 30 MW CRC solar projects from Luminia and serves as long-term owner, builder, and operator of both systems.
- Safari EnergyminorSafari Energy generates referrals and business development support for Luminia financing. Partnership helps identify prospects and close deals quickly, supporting Safari Energy's growth strategy.
- C5 Energy SolutionsminorC5 Energy Solutions led the Ambassador Auditorium renovation project. Luminia worked with C5 to provide single-source financing for over $5M of renewable energy and energy efficiency upgrades.
- ACIP EnergyminorACIP Energy (David Vincent's team) serves as owners' representative, helping scope projects and identify financing partners. Referrals drive agricultural and private club projects to Luminia.
- Sun Light & PowerminorInstallation partner for the Carondelet High School solar project.
- Ivy EnergyminorIvy Energy partners with Luminia on solar opt-in programs allowing residents at multifamily properties to receive solar power from the property owner at rates below utility electricity.
Scale indicators14 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Luminia competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Luminia social profiles
Digital presenceLuminia financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Luminia leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Luminia subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Luminia funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Luminia 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 Luminia
What does Luminia do?
Luminia finances, develops, owns, and operates commercial and community-scale solar and battery storage projects on customer properties under long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and leases, with no upfront cost to property owners. The company offers Clean Energy PPA, Credit Based PPA, and C-PACE financing products, supported by a proprietary AI-driven property prequalification and portfolio analysis platform, and delivers projects through programs such as Solar Plus Business and Community Energy in partnership with Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs).
Is Luminia a public or private company?
Luminia is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Luminia founded?
Luminia was founded in 2019. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Luminia based?
Luminia is headquartered in San Diego, United States, in the North America region.
How does Luminia make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) is the primary driver. The others are property Lease Payments and battery Storage Equipment Supply.
Does Luminia have an API?
No public API is recorded for Luminia.
What industry is Luminia in?
Luminia's product category is Commercial Solar and Energy Storage Project Development & Financing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAGADAA, Corporate PPAs (C&I Offtake; Sleeved/Virtual/Physical), with a secondary code of EUAGADAI, Hybrid PPAs (Renewables + Storage) & Firm Renewable Products. Its NAICS code is 221114 and its SIC code is 4991.