What Solar Stewards does

Solar Stewards, operated as DCR Group LLC and founded in 2013 by Dana Clare Redden, is an Atlanta-headquartered social enterprise that runs a dual-network digital marketplace linking community-serving organizations and local solar project owners (Community Partners) with corporate energy buyers (Climate Stewards). The company's signature product is Social RECs® — a patented Renewable Energy Credit construct that passes 100% of proceeds to Community Partners via Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs) and is exclusively transacted on the Solar Stewards Marketplace. The platform integrates the federal Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) and leading REC Registries to vet projects in historically excluded communities and to streamline credit registration for smaller generators.

The product portfolio comprises the marketplace core, CommunityPACT® (a digital tool for systemizing, executing, and monitoring CBAs), Solar Monitoring as an O&M-adjacent add-on, and ancillary programs including the annual Best Practices Summit (Advancing Equitable Solar and Storage) and an internship launched in 2020. Revenue is generated through an annual Climate Steward membership that gates marketplace access, transaction-linked economics on Social REC sales, and what appears to be a software/SaaS layer for CommunityPACT. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; named enterprise customers to date include Okta (first Social REC purchaser with a $30K+ annual commitment), Microsoft, T-Mobile (via PSG Energy Group), CohnReznick, and Salt Lake City.

Operationally, the company is small (~8 named personnel plus an advisory board), operates nationally across 12 states, and has initiated international activity through partnerships in Nigeria. Industry positioning is reinforced through founder seats on the boards of SEIA, Solar United Neighbors, SELF, and ACORE Accelerate, alongside thought-leadership presence at venues including the White House, SXSW, RE+, Climate Week NYC, and the Nature Conservancy. No external funding rounds have been disclosed; ownership remains founder-led.

Name

Solar Stewards

Legal name

DCR Group LLC

Website

https://solarstewards.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Renewable Energy Marketplace

NAICS

Solar Electric Power Generation (221114)

SIC

Electric Services (4911)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Solar Development & Subscription Management (EUAMAJAA)

Keywords

• Renewable energy marketplace
• Social REC trading
• Community benefit agreements
• Corporate renewable procurement
• Equitable clean energy

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Social RECs Sales: Social RECs are sold to Climate Stewards (corporate energy buyers) through the marketplace. 100% of Social REC proceeds pass through to Community Partners to fund community-determined social impact. Solar Stewards facilitates the transaction and retains revenue through membership fees and marketplace services.
2. Marketplace Membership Fees: A membership model where Climate Stewards pay for exclusive access to vetted Community Partners and their projects nationwide. Memberships are initially for one year and reoccur for the term of any active Social REC commitments. The membership enables Solar Stewards to perform origination, aggregation, community engagement, project management, R&D, and marketing services.
3. CommunityPACT Platform Licensing: CommunityPACT is offered as a digital tool with a guidebook and demo scheduling, suggesting a software licensing or subscription model for the CBA management platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Solar Stewards operates a dual-network digital marketplace platform that connects community-serving organizations and solar project owners (Community Partners) with corporate energy buyers (Climate Stewards). The company sells Social RECs® (patented Renewable Energy Credits with verifiable direct social impact passing 100% of proceeds to Community Partners) and provides CommunityPACT®, a digital platform for systemizing and monitoring Community Benefit Agreements, along with Solar Monitoring services.

Product overview

Solar Stewards operates as a dual-network marketplace platform that connects corporate Climate Stewards seeking renewable energy with social impact, to Community Partners who supply solar energy in historically excluded communities. The core offerings include the Solar Stewards Marketplace platform, Social RECs® (the first and only RECs with verifiable direct social impact), CommunityPACT® (a digital tool for managing Community Benefit Agreements), and Solar Monitoring services. The platform integrates CEJST data for impact tracking and connects to REC Registries for streamlined registration. Additional programs include the Best Practices Summit, an annual industry convening, and a student internship program launched in 2020.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Social RECs®: The first and only Renewable Energy Credits with verifiable and direct social impact. Social RECs pass 100% of proceeds to Community Partners to fund community-determined social impact.
• CommunityPACT®

Products and services

• Solar Stewards Marketplace Dual-network digital marketplace platform that connects corporate energy buyers (Climate Stewards) with local solar energy sellers (Community Partners) within historically excluded communities; facilitates Social REC procurement, CBA management, solar monitoring, and data-driven impact tracking via CEJST integration.
• Social RECs® Patented Renewable Energy Credits with verifiable and direct social impact that pass 100% of proceeds to Community Partners to fund community-determined social impact initiatives; exclusively available through the Solar Stewards Marketplace and validated via Community Benefit Agreements.
• CommunityPACT® Digital platform for systemizing, executing, and monitoring Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs) for renewable energy projects; converts high-friction manual CBA processes into transparent, scalable, trackable solutions with real-time monitoring and reporting dashboards for developers and community partners.
• Solar Monitoring Solar monitoring service within the Solar Stewards Marketplace suite, addressing the lack of operation and maintenance (O&M) support for many community-serving solar projects by providing monitoring capabilities to track solar project performance.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3,500+ students served through STEM education, student health services, and mental health awareness programs
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Climate Access Fund (CAF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSolar Stewards partnered with CAF on the Solar4Us@Henderson-Hopkins project to support 175 low-income households in Baltimore with solar energy at a 25% discount. CAF will also establish a student club focused on solar energy and efficiency. This reflects a multiyear commitment to reducing energy burdens and promoting sustainability in East Baltimore.
• CohnReznickcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSolar Stewards secured a multiyear agreement with CohnReznick as the Social REC purchaser for the Solar4Us@Henderson-Hopkins project. CohnReznick also served as a Summit speaker at the 2026 Best Practices Summit on solar financing and tax credits.
• Salt Lake CitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSalt Lake City is working toward a 100% renewable energy goal by 2030. Solar Stewards helped the city utilize solar panels at the Sorenson Multicultural Center to generate Social REC revenue. Partnering with Okta, the Social RECs support energy equity and fund community development through a signed CBA.
• Energy Peace PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnergy Peace Partners collaborated with Solar Stewards to introduce Peace RECs on the Solar Stewards Marketplace, expanding renewable energy access and global climate impact through the platform.
• Midflare CorporationcoreTechnology or IntegrationMidflare Corporation participated in a CommunityPACT demonstration at the 2026 Best Practices Summit, showcasing the tool's functionality and practical applicability for real-world CBA management using the Visol project as a case study.
• Inclusive Prosperity CapitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKerry O'Neill, CEO of Inclusive Prosperity Capital, participated as a panelist at the 2026 Best Practices Summit. IPC is a not-for-profit investment platform scaling impact for underserved communities and underinvested markets in clean energy finance. O'Neill also serves on Solar Stewards' Advisory Board.
• Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDuanne Andrade, CEO of SELF, participated as a panelist at the 2026 Best Practices Summit. SELF is the nation's first local 'Green' CDFI and Dana Redden serves on SELF's Board of Directors. SELF facilitates over $30 million in green economic development.
• Justice Climate FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmir Kirkwood, CEO of Justice Climate Fund, participated as a panelist at the 2026 Best Practices Summit. Justice Climate Fund mobilizes clean energy investments for historically under-resourced communities. Kirkwood previously served as Chief Lending and Investment Officer at OFN.
• Freedmen Green Bank & TrustsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Reginald Parker, President of Freedmen Green Bank & Trust, participated as a panelist at the 2026 Best Practices Summit. The organization focuses on delivering climate resiliency, renewable energy, and energy efficiency to impact low-income and disadvantaged communities.
• BOSS: Black Owners of Solar ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDana Clare Redden is a co-founder of BOSS: Black Owners of Solar Services. BOSS is a coalition promoting equity in clean energy and participated in various Solar Stewards events and initiatives including the KidWind Solar Challenge.
• The Nature Conservancy (TNC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSolar Stewards participated in TNC & Clean Energy Buyers Institute Market Standards Steering Committee Workshop to advance inclusive and equitable renewable energy practices. Dana Redden serves on TNC's Renewable Energy Standards Steering Committee. TNC developed the 'Site Renewables Right' tool featured on Solar Stewards' Maps page.
• Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSolar Stewards' founder Dana Redden serves on SEIA's Board of Directors. Solar Stewards attended the SEIA Golden Gala celebrating 50 years of solar and storage progress and the SEIA 2026 Strategy & Innovation Summit.
• American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDana Redden is an inaugural ACORE Accelerate member. Solar Stewards attended the ACORE 20th Anniversary Summit. The company participated in ACORE Accelerate Program activities including the WRISE Leadership Forum panel.
• VOTE SolarsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSolar Stewards' CEO contributed to VOTE Solar's 2024 Access and Equity Advisory Committee, developing equitable policy recommendations for distribution grid expansion and collaborating on a white paper addressing the connection between redlining and distribution grid disparities.
• Solar United Neighbors (SUN)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerDana Redden serves on the board of Solar United Neighbors. Solar Stewards participated in a Solar United Neighbors webinar in 2026.
• ReImagine AppalachiasecondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFeatured on Solar Stewards' CBA Practitioners page. Works to build a sustainable, equitable economy in Appalachia through coalition-building, policy advocacy, and community-led development. Supports CBAs by mobilizing grassroots networks across Ohio River Valley states.
• HummingbirdsecondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFeatured on Solar Stewards' CBA Practitioners page. Specializes in inclusive engagement strategies, participatory design, and community-centered decision-making. Physical offices in Atlanta, GA, and Washington, D.C.
• Southeast Climate & Energy Network (SCEN)secondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFeatured on Solar Stewards' CBA Practitioners page. A nonprofit network building power among organizations working toward equitable climate and energy solutions in the southeastern United States, providing capacity building, funding access, and technical assistance.
• Ayika SolutionssecondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDr. Erica Holloman-Hill, Chief Envisioning Officer of Ayika Solutions, served as moderator for the 2026 Best Practices Summit's Session 2 on Resiliency Centers. Ayika Solutions specializes in community-driven environmental initiatives and environmental justice consulting in the Southeastern U.S.
• Eco-Learn NigeriasecondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSolar Stewards International Associate Ayomikun Joshua Kukoyi partnered with the Netherlands Consulate in Lagos, Nigeria to lead a climate education initiative empowering 40 public school teachers over six months. Kukoyi also delivered climate education programs to students in the Epe region of Lagos.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Terrapass: Terrapass sells RECs and carbon offsets to corporate and consumer buyers. It is comparable as a REC retailer operating in the same procurement channels used by Solar Stewards' Climate Stewards, though it lacks the explicit CBA-verified community impact layer.
• Native (formerly NativeEnergy): Native operates a marketplace for renewable energy credits and carbon offsets with additionality and community-benefit narratives. It targets similar corporate ESG buyers and offers comparable mission-driven REC products.
• Energy Peace Partners: Energy Peace Partners co-developed Peace RECs on the Solar Stewards Marketplace. It is the closest comparable — a mission-driven REC product layering social/peace impact on top of renewable energy certificates — and serves as both a partnership and direct competitor for impact-REC market share.
• EnergySage: EnergySage operates a marketplace connecting solar buyers with installers and developers, plus a commercial arm for corporate clean energy procurement. It is comparable as a two-sided solar marketplace model targeting similar audiences, though focused on rooftop rather than community/REC transactions.
• Sterling Planet: Sterling Planet is one of the longest-established U.S. REC marketers and brokers serving utilities and corporate buyers. It is comparable as a direct competitor in voluntary REC sales to the same Climate Steward persona.
• 3Degrees: 3Degrees is one of the largest voluntary REC and renewable energy marketers in North America, brokering green power and RECs to corporate buyers. It competes directly for the same Climate Steward procurement budgets and could replicate a CBA-validated tier.

Others

• Solar United Neighbors: Solar United Neighbors is a nonprofit that organizes community solar group-purchasing programs — overlapping thematically with Solar Stewards' Community Partner network and CommunityPACT work. It is comparable as an ecosystem enabler rather than a direct competitor.

Emerging players

• Cool Effect: Cool Effect runs a curated marketplace for verified carbon offset and renewable projects with a strong storytelling component. It is comparable as a mission-driven marketplace that bundles community-impact narratives around clean energy transactions for corporate ESG buyers.
• WattTime: WattTime focuses on environmental impact data, emissions monitoring, and renewable energy claims automation. It overlaps with Solar Stewards on the technology-enabled clean energy attribute verification layer that both companies sell into corporate sustainability programs.

Broad incumbents

• South Pole Group: South Pole is a large global carbon credit and renewable energy solutions provider with deep corporate relationships. It is comparable as a broader incumbent in the voluntary clean energy attribute market from which Solar Stewards is carving a niche.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/solarstewards
• Xx.com/solar_stewards
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Solar Stewards