Large commercial real estate (CRE) owners are rethinking their rooftops. In 2025, rising energy costs, stricter ESG requirements, and the phaseout of historic federal incentives are driving a major shift: a growing number of CRE portfolios are integrating onsite solar. And they’re doing so without spending capital upfront.
Through turnkey, zero-CapEx solar solutions, firms are unlocking new income streams, meeting sustainability goals, and enhancing property value—all while future-proofing their assets.
The Revenue Potential of Rooftop Real Estate
What used to be neutral roof space is now a missed revenue opportunity. Flat rooftops on manufacturing centers, logistics parks, and retail complexes represent tens of thousands of square feet that could host solar energy systems.
Plankton Energy enables owners to monetize their rooftops through site lease agreements. These structures generate long-term, passive income from clean energy production while maintaining roof warranties, tenant experience, and asset control.
Why 2025 Is a Tipping Point
1. Solar Incentives Are at Their Peak
Between the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and regional programs in states like Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut, CRE owners can benefit from stacked federal, state, and utility-level incentives. In many states, property tax exemptions and performance-based payouts enhance solar ROI.
2. ESG Pressure Is Now a Market Standard
Asset owners are being evaluated not just by occupancy, but by carbon footprint. Solar power helps real estate portfolios earn points in GRESB, reduce operating emissions, and support tenant ESG compliance—without interrupting operations.
3. Zero-CapEx Execution Lowers Barriers
With Plankton’s turnkey solar development solutions, owners don’t need to navigate engineering, permitting, or utility approval. Every aspect—from site modeling to interconnection—is handled internally, with no upfront cost.
Real Projects, Real Revenue
Plankton has deployed rooftop solar at projects across New Jersey, Massachusetts, New York, and California. From 28 kW retail rooftops to 2 MW industrial systems, our solutions are tailored to each property’s roof condition, tenant needs, and lease structure.
Each system is designed to deliver:
Long-term lease payments or energy savings
ESG performance reporting
On-site O&M and remote monitoring
We energized a 972-kilowatt rooftop and parking lot canopy solar system at the Camden, New Jersey headquarters of ResinTech Inc. This large-scale clean energy upgrade is designed to significantly offset the facility’s electricity consumption with on-site renewable energy.
The system is expected to generate approximately 1.2 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean electricity annually. Over the course of its 25-year lifespan, ResinTech projects it will save more than $2.5 million in electricity costs while avoiding over 9,640 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions—the equivalent of taking nearly 2,100 gas-powered cars off the road for a year.
Expert Takeaways
CRE portfolios are adopting solar for revenue, not just sustainability
Site lease models deliver income with no owner CapEx
Incentives in 2025 are historically strong, but only here until July 2026
Turnkey providers like Plankton eliminate execution risk
Solar contributes to asset appreciation and tenant retention
Turn Idle Roofs Into Performance Engines
Plankton Energy helps CRE owners monetize underused rooftops—with no CapEx, no technical burden, and no delays. Let us model your portfolio and show you what solar can earn.
Schedule a free site evaluation