Planning and figuring out your multifamily solar project can be time-consuming and very complicated. Before investing in solar on multifamily housing, property owners need to confirm revenue potential, assess residents’ energy usage, and incentivize residents to participate as solar energy users. Owners also need support during solar project design, installation, and administration to make shared solar seamless for property management. Ivy takes the guesswork out of the solar investment by collecting residents’ historical energy usage data, providing long-term revenue forecasts, and a satisfying simulation of the customer experience. By removing upfront risk, we shorten the path to sustainable living and hassle-free financial gains. While Ivy is not a solar installer, we are very experienced in the solar space and have a network of trusted installers we can refer you to. You don’t have to work with an Ivy-referred installer to use our software, but these are some of the main things to consider when choosing your installer.
Narrow Down the List of Top Solar Installers
There are a lot of solar installers out there, but not all of them will be able and willing to work on your multifamily solar project:
- Not all installers install on multifamily properties and not all installers are familiar with virtual net energy metering “VNEM.”
- Your roof type could limit your installer options. Many installers will work with any and all roof types, but some avoid certain roof types. It is also important to ensure that your solar contractor has experience with multiple rooftop obstructions.
- Electrical gear upgrades can be very complicated depending on what your building is equipped with, so making sure your solar contractor is an expert with various electrical upgrades can be very important.
These are some of the first key questions you should ask an installer. Working with an installer that is well experienced in these areas is crucial.
How to Evaluate a Solar Installer Beyond the Quote
Going for the lowest price per watt or cheapest upfront cost is not a good plan when it comes to multifamily solar. Exceptionally low bids can be a red flag, and you should do more research before signing the contract. Solar installers offer a variety of warranties that you must factor into your decision, including warranties for the equipment, performance guarantees, and a roof and leak warranty. If you go with the cheapest bid and there are no warranties, you may spend a lot more money to repair a roof leak than if you went with a more expensive installer. Additionally, you want to consider the installer's experience, certifications, track record, and reviews before making your decision.
Questions to Ask Your Potential Solar Installer
- Are you licensed and insured in my state?
- What warranties do you offer for equipment, performance guarantees, and for my roof and leaks?
- Do you install on my roof type?
- Do you install solar canopies?
- Do you have experience with electrical upgrades?
- Do you have experience with line-side interconnections (VNEM)?
- What brand of solar panels and inverters do you work with?
- What is the expected energy production of the solar system in my quote?
- How many years of experience does your company have?
- Can I look at some of your installed multifamily systems in person?
- Can I have the datasheet for the solar panels and inverter in your quote?
- Are you NABCEP Certified? (This is a voluntary certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners.)
- Do you subcontract any of the installation work?
- Do you have quality control systems in place for the installation process?
- How many certified electricians will be on the job site versus solar installation laborers?
- Can you provide ongoing maintenance of my system?
While this may seem like a long list of questions, it will ensure that you get all the information you need to make the best decision for your multifamily real estate community.
Take the Next Step to Renewable Energy for Your Multifamily Property
Multifamily solar is an investment in your property that will immensely benefit you and your residents. Take your time to choose the right solar installer for your project, and don’t let a limited-time offer or incentive pressure you. It is important to find a solar installer who makes sense for you and your project and that offers quality service backed by a strong track record. If you don’t know where to start with finding an installer, contact us for a referral to a trusted installer in your area. Or, if you have a quote for solar and the company checks all the boxes, we can run a revenue simulator to show you the NOI revenue potential of your multifamily solar project.
Pioneering the Future of Multi-Tenant Solar Energy Management
2024 was a trailblazing year for Ivy Energy, where we shattered barriers, redefined possibilities, and delivered innovative solutions to address the multi-tenant solar split incentive challenge. By driving product advancements, forging impactful partnerships, and scaling operational processes, we empowered multi-tenant properties to embrace clean energy with confidence.
A Year of Growth and Market Expansion
Ivy has grown its active project pipeline 450% compared to 2023, with a line of sight to clear +600% in active projects by the end of the year. Our tech-enabled solutions empower more communities than ever. With $18M in Series A funding (Read more) and the strategic acquisition of Glow Energy (Read more), we are poised for unprecedented growth and impact. This investment enables us to enhance our technology, streamline operations, and expand our reach into new markets nationwide.
Entering new markets with increased resources allows us to address diverse energy challenges and deliver tailored solutions to property owners and tenants. Additionally, the launch of our consulting arm provides expert guidance for our clients and partners to save money and enhance ROI while navigating intricate solar investments.
Meaningful Operational Updates
At Ivy, innovation isn’t just about technology—it’s about creating digital tools that empower our clients and their tenants:
- PropTech Integrations: Partnered with RealPage, Entrata, and Yardi to automate rent roll syncing, move-in/move-out updates, and direct charge posting to resident ledgers. These integrations reduce monthly processing time by up to 2 hours per property while enhancing data accuracy and operational efficiency.
- NEM Credit Delay Optimization: The Utility Coordination team adopted the CPUC informal complaint process to reduce delays in NEM activation after PV solar system commissioning. This improvement cut the average resolution time for delayed NEM credits from 123 days in 2023 to 49 days in 2024, allowing property owners to see Net Operating Income over two months sooner on average.
Platform Advancements that Lead the Industry
Our engineering team broke new ground, ensuring our platform stays ahead of the curve:
- Migrated to a new infrastructure processing system for faster processing and further automation improvements across operational features.
- Introduced IvyDual in response to regulatory requirements in California, which allows us to enter new markets where consolidated billing is not viable.
- Achieved SOC 2 Compliance, reaffirming our commitment to data security. (Read more)
- Built initial public API for Conservice integration and new utility data access pathways, strengthening our platform’s versatility and reliability.
Empowering Positive Experiences with CX
At Ivy Energy, our customers rely on us as true partners in their clean energy journey, helping them achieve long-term NOI growth while providing exceptional support for property owners and tenants. We consistently deliver this experience by simplifying complex utility processes and offering our white-glove service that ensures our clients feel supported, informed, and empowered to succeed. This year, Ivy’s Customer Experience Team launched two significant platforms:
- Ivy Implementation Portal: A step-by-step, transparent portal that simplifies solar implementation for our clients and partners across multiple organizations. (Watch a walkthrough of the new portal here.)
- Resident Help Center: Educate tenants about the solar program with helpful resources and offer direct support online or by phone. (Explore the Help Center)
Shaping the Future Through Thought Leadership
In 2024, Ivy Energy reinforced its position as an industry leader; our Virtual Grid 3.0 impressed the judges and earned first place in Solar Power World’s “Best in Show” award for large-scale solar innovation. (Read more)
Leadership team members Alex Dogan, Tanya Kuhn, and Sean Nam were celebrated in San Diego Business Journal’s Leaders of Influence in Technology 2024 for their contributions to advancing sustainable energy. (Read more) Ivy was also featured in Alt Energy Magazine (Read more), San Diego Business Journal (Read more), and on Solar Academy. (Read more)
Logan Carter showcased Ivy’s groundbreaking innovations in a main stage speech at Cretech NY (Watch here), an engaging appearance on the IMN Podcast (Listen here), and a deep-dive interview with Chris Moreno, also known as “Mr. PropTech.” (Watch here) Ivy’s policy team further expanded its influence by authoring a Model VNEM Whitepaper, a critical guide to enabling multi-tenant solar models nationwide. (Read the Whitepaper).
Measurable Environmental Impact
This year, Ivy Energy amplified its environmental contributions, with contracted units in implementation set to offset an astounding 109 million pounds of CO2. Meanwhile, active units have already offset 9 million pounds of CO2, demonstrating our ongoing dedication to reducing carbon emissions.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As we celebrate 2024’s successes, we are always looking to the future. In 2025, we’ll continue to push boundaries, deliver innovations that empower our clients, improve tenant experiences, and lead the multi-tenant housing sector toward a sustainable future.
A Message from Dover Janis, CEO of Ivy Energy
“2024 was a year of progress and adaptation. While utility-caused delays challenged our growing pipeline, our focus on agile problem-solving reduced their impact and kept the market moving forward. This is a testament not only to the dedication and focus of our team but also to the strong macro-level foundation that the onsite energy business model provides for real estate owners, even in the face of monopoly-driven resistance. With a large and expanding customer base and hundreds of projects, we have continued to validate the transformative potential of clean energy solutions for shared communities. I’m incredibly proud of our team—now among the most mature, knowledgeable, and experienced in the industry—as we trail blaze the path forward. The market is primed to grow and drive transformative change in local communities. I’m deeply grateful to our partners and customers, whom we have the privilege of serving every day as we continue to lead the way.”
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