Plankton Energy
Plankton Energy is a Brooklyn-based turnkey commercial solar developer and owner-operator (founded 2018) serving REITs, PE firms, and property owners with rooftop and parking canopy solar systems financed via PPAs, site leases, or direct purchase across retail, office, industrial, and education segments.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersBrooklyn, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Plankton Energy does
Plankton Energy is a Brooklyn, NY-based commercial and community solar development firm founded in 2018 that operates as a turnkey developer, EPC contractor, and long-term owner-operator of distributed solar assets. The company designs, engineers, procures, installs, commissions, and operates rooftop and parking canopy solar systems for commercial properties across all major real estate asset classes, including retail, office, industrial, self-storage, multi-family, manufacturing, education, and houses of worship. Its core technical platform integrates UL 3741 hazard-control compliant array design, ballasted and flush-mount racking systems (the latter using S-5! clamps on standing seam metal), and interconnection management across multiple state incentive jurisdictions including NJ SuSI, MA SMART, NY-Sun, and CA NEM 3.0.
The company monetizes projects through three financing structures: Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) where it owns the system and sells electricity at a 10-60% discount to utility rates over 15-25 years; Solar Site Lease Agreements where it leases host property space and pays passive rent while selling power through community solar programs; and direct system sales leveraging federal ITC (30% plus potential bonus adders) and MACRS accelerated depreciation. In 2025, Plankton formed a joint venture, Plankton-Gratitude Yield Co. (PGY), with impact investor Gratitude Railroad, raising $10.75M in equity and securing a $7.5M revolving construction loan from Locus CDFI to acquire a portfolio of 35-40 solar projects valued at approximately $40M. To date, the company has completed 50+ projects, deployed 26,000+ panels, and generated 720,000+ lifetime MWh.
Plankton Energy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Plankton Energy
- Legal name
- Plankton Energy LLC
- Website
- https://planktonenergy.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Plankton Energy is a Brooklyn-based turnkey commercial solar developer and owner-operator (founded 2018) serving REITs, PE firms, and property owners with rooftop and parking canopy solar systems financed via PPAs, site leases, or direct purchase across retail, office, industrial, and education segments.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Plankton Energy industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Commercial Solar Development
- akta.pro primary industry
- Solar EPC & Construction (Utility-Scale, Rooftop, Balance of System) (EUAMABAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Asset Management & Owner’s Engineering (Lifecycle Strategy, Budgeting, Technical Due Diligence) (EUAMAGAJ), Civil & Site Works EPC (Earthworks, Roads, Drainage, Foundations) (EUAEADAA), Major Component Service & Overhauls (Gearboxes, Blades, Generators, Inverters, Turbines) (EUAMAGAF)
Keywords
Where Plankton Energy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brooklyn
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Plankton Energy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Power Purchase Agreement (PPA): Plankton Energy deploys capital and funds the upkeep of solar systems, then sells electricity to the host property at fixed rates typically 10-60% below utility prices, reducing electricity expenses over 15-25 year terms. Revenue is generated through electricity sales at discounted rates.
- Solar Site Lease Agreement: Plankton leases rooftop or parking lot space from property owners to host solar arrays. Plankton sells power through community-solar programs and pays the host predictable lease payments under 15-25 year agreements. Property owners earn passive income with no upfront investment.
- Direct System Purchase: Plankton designs and installs solar systems sold directly to property owners who benefit from investment tax credits, accelerated depreciation, and long-term energy savings. Plankton provides ongoing operations and maintenance support. Revenue is generated from system sale plus ongoing O&M fees.
- YieldCo Portfolio Management: Through Plankton-Gratitude Yield Co., the company manages a portfolio of 35-40 solar projects worth approximately $40 million, generating revenue through diversified electricity sales and state incentives in the form of Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs).
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Plankton Energy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Plankton Energy is a turnkey commercial and community solar energy development firm that originates, designs, finances, installs, owns, and operates rooftop solar systems and parking lot solar canopies for commercial property owners. The company serves Real Estate Investment Trusts, private equity firms, schools, houses of worship, and other commercial property owners through three financing structures: Power Purchase Agreements, Solar Site Lease Agreements, and Direct Purchase, with no upfront capital required for the host property. Through its Plankton-Gratitude Yield Co. joint venture, the company also operates an impact-driven investment platform that owns and manages a $40 million portfolio of 35-40 distributed solar assets in underserved communities.
Product overview
Plankton Energy is a turnkey commercial and community solar energy development firm offering EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) and owner-operator services. The core portfolio includes rooftop solar systems, solar parking canopies, and community solar projects serving Real Estate Investment Trusts, private equity firms, and property owners across retail, office, industrial, multifamily, education, and other commercial asset classes. The company structures financing through three distinct models: Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), Solar Site Lease Agreements, and Direct Purchase options. Through its joint venture Plankton-Gratitude Yield Co. (PGY), the company also operates an impact-driven investment platform focused on underserved communities. Additional offerings include battery storage integration, federal and state incentive optimization, and long-term operations and maintenance services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Plankton-Gratitude Yield Co. Joint venture impact solar investment platform between Plankton Energy and Gratitude Railroad that owns and operates distributed solar assets serving low-income and underserved communities.
Quantifiable outcome
- Electricity cost savings of 10-60% below utility rates through PPA structures
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Plankton Energy
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Plankton Energy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Plankton Energy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Gratitude RailroadcoreGratitude Railroad is an asset manager and impact investing network that co-launched Plankton-Gratitude Yield Co. (PGY) with Plankton Energy. The partnership focuses on investments delivering cash yields to investors alongside measurable social and environmental benefits, targeting distributed solar in underserved communities. PGY has raised over $10 million in equity and supports 35-40 solar projects valued at approximately $40 million.
- Core SpacesminorCore Spaces is a nationally recognized real estate firm focused on creating vibrant, sustainable living environments. Plankton Energy collaborated with Core Spaces on the 484.9 kW solar installation at BLVD 63 student housing in San Diego, California, as part of Core Spaces' commitment to integrating sustainability into operations.
- Tanger OutletsminorTanger Outlets partnered with Plankton Energy for a 1,384 kW rooftop solar installation at their Nashville, Tennessee retail center location. The project transforms the property into a clean energy hub while reducing operational costs.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Plankton Energy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Lightsource bp: Global solar developer with substantial U.S. commercial, industrial, and utility-scale operations, including community solar. Overlaps with Plankton on C&I development and asset ownership but at materially greater scale and balance sheet.
- EDF Renewables Distributed Solutions: U.S. arm of EDF Renewables developing utility-scale and distributed solar plus storage. Competes with Plankton on commercial and community solar but operates from a much larger corporate and capital base.
Direct peers
- Safari Energy: NYC-based commercial and industrial solar developer and owner-operator serving REITs and institutional property owners across the U.S. Direct comparable: Plankton's CEO previously led development and financing of 100+ MW there, and both firms target the same customer base with PPA, lease, and direct-purchase financing structures.
- Borrego Solar: Developer and EPC of commercial, industrial, and utility-scale solar plus storage across the U.S. Comparable as a turnkey C&I developer with owned-asset projects, O&M services, and emphasis on mid-to-large commercial customers.
- ForeFront Power: Developer of commercial, community, and public-sector solar plus storage projects with a focus on schools, government, and underserved communities. Comparable to Plankton through its mid-market C&I focus, community solar LMI focus, and developer/owner-operator model.
- Nexamp: One of the largest community solar and distributed generation developers in the U.S., with growing commercial solar activity. Directly comparable on community solar LMI programs and distributed asset ownership; both operate yieldco-style structures backed by project finance.
- Pivot Energy: National commercial and community solar developer providing turnkey development, financing, and operations across multiple states. Comparable to Plankton as a developer-EPC-owner-operator serving mid-market commercial customers and community solar subscribers.
- Solar Landscape: Northeast-focused commercial rooftop and community solar developer active in New Jersey and surrounding states. Direct peer in geography, customer segments (REITs, schools, mid-market commercial), and developer/EPC model.
- Dimension Energy: Community solar and C&I solar developer focused on LMI subscribers and commercial off-takers in the eastern U.S. Highly comparable on community solar LMI focus, distributed ownership model, and Northeast market overlap with Plankton.
- Trinity Solar: One of the largest residential and commercial solar installers in the Northeast. Comparable on Northeast geography, turnkey delivery, and PPA/lease financing, though weighted more toward residential and small commercial customers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Plankton Energy social profiles
Digital presencePlankton Energy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Plankton Energy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Plankton Energy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Plankton Energy 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 Plankton Energy
What does Plankton Energy do?
Plankton Energy is a turnkey commercial and community solar energy development firm that originates, designs, finances, installs, owns, and operates rooftop solar systems and parking lot solar canopies for commercial property owners. The company serves Real Estate Investment Trusts, private equity firms, schools, houses of worship, and other commercial property owners through three financing structures: Power Purchase Agreements, Solar Site Lease Agreements, and Direct Purchase, with no upfront capital required for the host property. Through its Plankton-Gratitude Yield Co. joint venture, the company also operates an impact-driven investment platform that owns and manages a $40 million portfolio of 35-40 distributed solar assets in underserved communities.
Is Plankton Energy a public or private company?
Plankton Energy is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Plankton Energy founded?
Plankton Energy was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Plankton Energy based?
Plankton Energy is headquartered in Brooklyn, United States, in the North America region.
How does Plankton Energy make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) is the primary driver. The others are solar Site Lease Agreement, direct System Purchase and yieldCo Portfolio Management.
Who are Plankton Energy's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Lightsource bp and EDF Renewables Distributed Solutions. Direct peers are Safari Energy, Borrego Solar, ForeFront Power, Nexamp, Pivot Energy, Solar Landscape, Dimension Energy and Trinity Solar.
Does Plankton Energy have an API?
No public API is recorded for Plankton Energy.
What industry is Plankton Energy in?
Plankton Energy's product category is Commercial Solar Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAMABAB, Solar EPC & Construction (Utility-Scale, Rooftop, Balance of System), with a secondary code of EUAMAGAJ, Asset Management & Owner’s Engineering (Lifecycle Strategy, Budgeting, Technical Due Diligence).