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  DISTRIBUTED SUN
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Our History

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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. 
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. ​​

​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. 


Our Founders
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​Jeff Weiss

​Executive Chairman
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​
​​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
     
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
  
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
    
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
    
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
    
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
    
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
     
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
    
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
    
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
   
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
   
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
   
DEC
DSUN founded to develop and own C&I assets in the Mid-Atlantic of the United States

distributed sun LLC


Telephone

202.558.4465

Email

contact@distributedsun.com

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