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Distributed Sun (DSUN) was founded in November 2009 and closed its initial operating, development, and project capital fund in January 2010.
DSUN's first Solar Energy Investment Company (SEIC) sunONE, began generating solar electricity at six commercial facilities in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania in early 2011. sunONE delivered more than 100% of at-risk capital to investors fifteen months after its initial closing and a best-in-market rate-of-return. |
Over the next five years, DSUN repeated and reinvented this early success to develop, own, and operate assets under its sunTWO through sunFIVE SEICs and other sponsor and tax equity funds - operating commercial, industrial, and utility-scale facilities in 11 US states - including California, Colorado, New Mexico, and New York.
In 2012, DSUN launched the Distributed Solar Network (DSN) to connect solar asset buyers and sellers. Assembling over 250 investor and developer members through 2017, the DSN screened and scored $15 billion of dealflow in 32 states from over 1,000 projects. This initiative laid the foundation for Distributed Sun's truSolar initiative. Formed in 2013, truSolar charter founding partners included ABB, DuPont, PwC, Rocky Mountain Institute, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, Booz Allen Hamilton, Underwriters' Laboratories, SMA, and other market-share leading companies throughout the solar industry value-chain. All participants contributed people, capital, and knowledge resources to help accelerate the professionalization and standardization of the solar industry.
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The truSolar working group published the results of its efforts in 2015. The RSCM, or Risk Screen Criteria & Methodology, identified over 800 risks associated with asset and investment performance and provided a methodology to score those risks. In early 2015, DSUN launched a wholly-owned SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) subsidiary, beEdison, to digitize and deliver the truSolar screening and scoring tool to the U.S. solar marketplace.
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Today, the company is developing 1 GW of utility-scale projects for large corporate off-takers and community solar projects under its latest SEIC, sunTEN. |
In 2015, DSUN held its inaugural New Energy Summit. Hosted at the House of Sweden by the waterfront in Georgetown, the summit assembled over 500 leading executives from around the world to participate in this invitation-only event in Washington, DC. Participants enjoyed Chatham House Rules discussions and debates about the latest trends driving new energy in the United States and around the world.
In 2016, DSUN turned toward small-to-medium utility-scale development and tax equity investments - migrating away from smaller-scale on-site solutions. That strategic decision drove the company toward community solar in 2017 and DSUN's first 100+ MW SEIC - sunEIGHT - the largest operating community solar portfolio in New York and the United States - delivering power to over 18,000 customers. sunEIGHT exceeded its MW targets under budget ahead of schedule at greater than forecast returns in 2018.
In 2016, DSUN turned toward small-to-medium utility-scale development and tax equity investments - migrating away from smaller-scale on-site solutions. That strategic decision drove the company toward community solar in 2017 and DSUN's first 100+ MW SEIC - sunEIGHT - the largest operating community solar portfolio in New York and the United States - delivering power to over 18,000 customers. sunEIGHT exceeded its MW targets under budget ahead of schedule at greater than forecast returns in 2018.
Our Founders
Jeff Weiss Executive Chairman |
Chase Weir Executive Vice Chairman |
As entrepreneurs, Chase and Jeff have launched product and service platforms across numerous ventures in media, finance, content, and other industries over three decades. They have deep experience as founders, owners, and executive leaders. Meeting at the Aspen Institute in 2008 on the heels of a major financial crisis, they heard one another share their opinions in a crowded room with Socrates Society moderator and world-renowned author, editor and economist, Clive Crook, about what just happened to world markets and what was likely to happen next. Jeff and Chase realized then the next adventures they were considering shared many of the same conclusions. Key among them - clean energy, capital markets, and technology - would not only create an inevitable trillion dollar industry, but it was the best direction to point their energies forward and toward people, planet, and profit for the long-term.
Our Work
2020 |
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JUN |
DSUN closes sponsor equity investment for 70 MW community solar portfolio |
MAY |
DSUN secures development capital from NY Green Bank |
APR |
DSUN closes interconnection loan facility with NY Green Bank |
APR |
DSUN signs agreement with public company to install on-site solar at 23 sites in 17 states |
2019 |
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NOV |
DSUN executive chairman speaks at Cornell Energy Connection on zero carbon footprint |
OCT |
Chase Weir speaks at the 2019 NY Energy Summit on utility-scale solar opportunities |
SEP |
DSUN projects now generating almost 200 GWh/year, serving over 23,000 customers |
AUG |
DSUN executes Purchase & Sales Agreement for $24MM Bellisario project |
AUG |
Jeff Weiss speaks at DoD's Energy Exchange on microgrids-as-a-service |
JUL |
DOE, DOD, DHS, and national labs award DSUN winner of the MERC Innovation Challenge |
JUN |
sunTEN development and takeout fund announced following DSUN's sunNINE tax equity fund |
MAY |
With Phase II cleared for NTP, sunEIGHT has 40 MW of new solar under construction in Dryden |
APR |
DSUN announces sale of commercial assets in Colorado, New Mexico, and New Jersey |
FEB |
Jeff Weiss speaks at the Aspen Clean Energy Innovation Forum |
2018 |
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SEP |
Chase Weir lectures class at GWU's Environmental & Energy Management Institute |
AUG |
DSUN & EWT expanding 88 MW NY community solar portfolio to 110 MW |
JUN |
Jeff Weiss speaks at Aspen Energy Week: Designing Transitions for the New Energy Economy |
JUN |
sunEIGHT finalizes $130MM capital investment sale to serve 18,000 customers |
JUN |
23.5 MW of community solar projects in Middlesex and Norwich will serve 3,900 customers |
JUN |
The Bloomberg & Tata Centers in Manhattan now powered by solar with help from DSUN |
JUN |
Jeff Weiss keynotes at American Renewable Energy Institute Summit - AREDAY |
JUN |
DSUN’s 27 MW Ellis Array in Dryden, NY begins construction and will deliver power to 4,500 homes |
MAY |
DSUN twin arrays nominated for Most Outstanding Project of the Year at Intersolar North America |
MAY |
DSUN presents on resilient grids and climate strategies at Microgrid 2018 |
APR |
DSUN wins 2018 Telly Award for its truSolar commercial video promoting community solar |
APR |
Company leadership talks deal structuring at the 2018 KPMG Renewable Energy Finance Seminar |
MAR |
Jeff Weiss lectures at Georgetown University: Managing Technology Disruption |
FEB |
Jeff Weiss speaks at the Aspen Clean Energy Innovation Forum |
2017 |
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DEC |
Solar Energy Finance Advisory Council, Jeff Weiss leads annual meeting as co-chair |
AUG |
DSUN presents at the Aspen Clean Energy Innovation Forum |
JUL |
Jeff Weiss speaks on electricity inversion at Intersolar North America |
MAY |
DSUN presents to Skadden Energy Conference |
MAY |
DSUN closes second innovative debt facility with NY Green Bank |
APR |
Jeff Weiss speaks at KPMG Renewable Energy Finance Seminar: Electricity Inversion |
MAR |
DSUN sells sunONE operating assets as the company shifts to utility-scale development |
2016 |
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NOV |
DSUN closes sunEIGHT - a development joint venture with Emergya Wind Technologies (EWT) |
OCT |
DSUN's third annual New Energy Summit is sold out |
SEP |
S&P ratings service platinum sponsors Annual Summit |
SEP |
Nancy Pfund, DBL managing partner & Tesla/Solar City Board Director, keynotes DSUN Summit |
AUG |
DSUN funds residential solar portfolio with its second tax equity investment fund, sunNINE |
MAR |
Cornell University celebrates the commencement of 2.8 MW Harford solar project |
2015 |
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DEC |
Projects at Cornell's Ithaca campus and 4 MW Geneva site announce start of operations |
OCT |
DSUN announces its second annual New Energy Summit at the Swedish Embassy |
MAY |
DSUN wins BNEF's 2015 FiRe Award |
MAY |
Chase Weir presents a clean energy credit check at Bloomberg New Energy Finance |
FEB |
DSUN & D. E. Shaw co-develop 20 MW project in Nevada with NV Energy as offtaker |
2014 |
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DEC |
DSUN celebrates the commissioning of 1.75 MW solar array in Lansing |
OCT |
DSUN hosts its first Annual New Energy Summit at the House of Sweden |
SEP |
DSUN's first tax equity fund, sunNINE, invests in utility-scale solar in California |
JUN |
Jeff Weiss to speak at REFF Wall Street |
JUN |
Chase Weir keynotes Intersolar North America |
MAR |
OPIC signs $50MM agreement to fund DSUN projects in the Caribbean and Central America |
MAR |
DSUN CEO interviewed on PBS: Reducing Soft Costs for Commercial & Industrial Solar |
FEB |
Rocky Mountain Institute assumes lead facilitator role in truSolar working group |
JAN |
Chase Weir to speak in Abu Dhabi at the World Energy Future Summit |
2013 |
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SEP |
Chase Weir speaks at REFF West |
JUN |
DSUN CEO keynotes Intersolar North America 2013 |
MAY |
Stephen Lacey with GTM interviews DSUN CEO about market-driven solutions for industry growth |
MAY |
truSolar gold sponsors GTM Solar Summit |
APR |
DSUN CEO interviewed by Platt's Energy Week at Standard & Poor's Wall Street |
FEB |
APCO Worldwide joints truSolar Initiative |
FEB |
Underwriters' Laboratories, Booz Allen, SMA, and ABB back effort to create solar finance risk score |
JAN |
Rocky Mountain Institute and PwC join DSUN to standardize commercial solar |
2012 |
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NOV |
DSUN launches the truSolar working group with DuPont and S&P |
JUN |
DSUN expands to Colorado with large rooftop solar array at charter school in Denver |
JUN |
DSUN wins US Army MATOC award to develop, own & operate solar on U.S. military installations |
MAY |
DSUN joins industry leaders at White House to discuss expanding capital markets for solar |
APR |
US FOODS signs 20 year solar lease with sunTHREE for distribution facility in New Mexico |
FEB |
DSUN named Roosevelt Island Tech Campus winner alongside Cornell by Mayor Bloomberg |
JAN |
DSUN closes Series B financing for operating company |
2011 |
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JUL |
DSUN to build MW-scale solar for senior living facilities in Maryland |
MAY |
DSUN wins 22 building solar rooftop deal in Delaware office park |
FEB |
Company sponsors 4th Terranaut Almanacs series installment at the Council on Foreign Relations |
JAN |
DSUN closes financing for 1.1 MW parking canopy at Sheraton Meadowlands hotel in New Jersey |
2010 |
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DEC |
DSUN begins generating clean electrons for businesses throughout the Mid-Atlantic |
SEP |
Hunt Valley Data Center commits to go solar with DSUN |
AUG |
DSUN begins construction on six rooftops in four states scheduled for operations in Q4 of 2010 |
JUL |
The Hilton Hotel at BWI Airport & DSUN announce agreement to build on-site solar array |
APR |
Company executes multi-site, 20 year PPA with Buccini Pollin Group for sites in DE, PA, and NJ |
MAR |
DSUN signs power purchase agreement to construct solar at hotels in NJ and MD |
JAN |
DSUN closes first solar project development and ownership fund, sunONE |
2009 |
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DEC |
DSUN founded to develop and own C&I assets in the Mid-Atlantic of the United States |
