Article by:
Austin Young
Topics:
Impact
Published:
January 1, 2024
Back to all articles

2023 at a Glance: A Year of Achievements and Impact

As 2023 draws to a close, Ivy Energy looks back on a year defined by resilience, innovation, and remarkable growth, all amid the backdrop of unprecedented demand. The challenges we faced became pivotal moments of triumph, showcasing our ability to navigate complex landscapes with unwavering resolve.

Funding to Power the Future

Despite the capital market facing considerable difficulties, Ivy successfully navigated through, securing funding and establishing a robust foundation for supporting the future of onsite energy. Between early 2023 and February 2024, the company successfully completed our initial Series A fundraising round which will have an official announcement in the coming weeks with big news that we are very excited to share. 

Awards & Recognition: Gold Edison Award and Solar Power World Top Solar Software

Ivy Energy's commitment to excellence earned it the prestigious Gold Edison Award in the Critical Human Infrastructure category. Defying the odds, Ivy Energy outshone competitors that had much larger budgets and marketing teams. Additionally, the company was featured as a 2023 Top Solar Software in Solar Power World, further solidifying its position as an industry leader.

Press Highlights: Recognition Across Diverse Platforms

Ivy Energy made headlines across various platforms and outlets, reinforcing its influence in the industry. Some notable mentions include a feature in the AMFAM Institute's list of game-changing companies combating climate change,  the Adobe Worldwide Tech Index Report - Multifamily Edition, Business Chief’s Insights "Top 10 Innovative Companies to Watch in 2023”, and  San Diego Business Journal, showcasing Ivy’s transformative impact on clean energy adoption in multi-unit buildings. Ivy’s impact on rooftop solar for renters was discussed in a Canary Media article, and it was recognized by Bessemer Venture Partners in the energy transition software stack. 

Participation in Key Events: Defining the Future at Leadership Summit and More

Ivy Energy took an active role in prominent industry events such as Blueprint, Optech, Realcomm, and Modern Ventures Passport Program, leveraging these platforms to educate industry professionals and offer insights into our Virtual Grid platform. Demonstrating a strong commitment to community engagement, Ivy Energy hosted a WomenHack event at its San Diego office, highlighting its dedication to enabling a diverse clean tech workforce.

Focusing on internal excellence and how to overcome large external challenges, the Ivy leadership team came together for a transformative retreat, not only shaping the organizational compass to provide the best experience to customers but also aligning the collective vision toward enabling optimized shared energy infrastructure at the last mile of the grid. This pivotal event reaffirmed our commitment to providing the private market with the clarity and digital tools needed to be a major stakeholder in the energy transition.

Policy Wins: Advocating for Change and Making an Impact in VNEM Policy Decisions

Ivy Energy celebrated significant policy wins, particularly with regard to California’s Virtual Net Metering tariff. The company's efforts helped convince the California Public Utilities Commission to carve out an exception from its decision to do away with virtual net metering to allow virtual netting for residential meters. This carve-out allows multifamily properties to optimize onsite energy with energy storage. Ivy Energy’s advocacy in Colorado, along with other participants, resulted in the Public Service Company of Colorado passing new regulations to allow multi-unit net metering, which is similar to California’s original VNEM program.  Ivy Energy continues to advocate for policies that allow better optimization of onsite energy for multi-tenant properties.

Product Innovations: Launches, Improvements, and Optimizations

During 2023, Ivy made significant product advancements. They launched Virtual Grid 2.0, upgraded their solar bill design, and enhanced the Trellis User Experience to ensure better service quality and faster delivery. Ivy also refined its shared DER accounting framework to offer clearer billing structures, more versatile meter management to improve data quality and access for different meter management arrangements and support access to new jurisdictions and utilities. Existing communities will see these updates in the coming months. Moreover, Ivy implemented major operational efficiency improvements, introduced a new resident portal, and undertook several other initiatives to underscore their commitment to providing cutting-edge onsite energy services.

Quarterly Expansion and Team Growth Highlights

Quarterly onboarding efforts in 2023 resulted in the successful integration of 27 new communities and over 100 started their onboarding process contributing to Ivy Energy's environmental impact. On top of growing revenue 5x from 2022, Ivy Energy experienced a significant expansion in its team, marking a pivotal chapter in its journey. The addition of 19 new team members played a crucial role in fortifying the company's foundation and building a knowledgeable team to move Ivy Energy to new markets. Among these additions, key leadership roles were filled, including the appointment of a Chief Operating Officer/General Counsel (COO/GC), Chief Legal & Policy Officer (CL&PO), and Head of People. 

Environmental Impact: 47,027,250 Lbs of CO2 Offset

The company's commitment to environmental sustainability continues to be evident in its impressive CO2 offset. Ivy Energy's solutions have offset a staggering 47,027,250 pounds of CO2, contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable future.

Looking Ahead to 2024: Embracing Growth, Innovation, and Collaboration

As we reflect on the remarkable achievements of the past year—from fundraising triumphs to policy wins, product innovations, and environmental impact—we are reminded of the collective effort and dedication that have propelled Ivy Energy forward. Together, we have overcome challenges, embraced change, and made a tangible difference in the world of clean energy. Our journey has been made possible by the unwavering support of our clients, investors, and partners, to whom we extend our heartfelt gratitude. Your belief in our mission fuels our determination to push boundaries and achieve excellence. Looking forward, we are excited to unveil new initiatives, forge strategic partnerships, and pioneer groundbreaking solutions that will shape the future of onsite energy. With a solid foundation and a growing community, Ivy Energy is poised to continue leading the way in the shared onsite energy revolution. Here's to a bright and prosperous 2024!

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.”

Connect