Massachusetts’ battery programs are redefining what energy storage means for commercial real estate. Through ConnectedSolutions and the Clean Peak Energy Standard, property owners can now turn energy storage into a high-performing asset that earns income during both peak events and strategic dispatch windows. ConnectedSolutions – Utilities pay for capacity released during high-demand hours, turning stored energy into predictable revenue. Clean Peak Energy Standard – Adds another layer of value by awarding tradable credits for dispatching clean power at the most valuable times. Combined with federal tax credits, accelerated depreciation, and reduced demand charges, these programs turn a resiliency opportunity into a sustainable profit center. Plankton Energy models each property’s opportunity to help CRE owners monetize their infrastructure, stabilize costs, and boost NOI — all while contributing to grid resilience. Explore the full analysis → https://lnkd.in/eTYWGq_3 #CommercialSolar #EnergyStorage #ConnectedSolutions #CleanPeakStandard #CREInvesting #NOIGrowth
Plankton Energy
Solar Electric Power Generation
Brooklyn, NY 2,584 followers
We develop, engineer, finance, install, own & operate commercial solar across the nation; servicing small to large firms
About us
Founded in 2018, Plankton Energy is an industry leader providing commercial solar development services. Members of the Plankton Team have worked in the commercial solar industry since 2013. We have deep experience in project development, finance, engineering, and academia. Plankton Energy creates economic and environmental value for its clients with a strong commitment to sustainability. We develop, engineer, finance, install, own and operate solar energy systems. Plankton is a long-term partner with its clients, providing operations and maintenance services on all systems installed. We determine a solar strategy based on our client’s environmental and financial goals. The key to a successful strategy is to incorporate market-specific financial incentives. Incentive programs vary by jurisdiction which will influence the deployment strategy. We tailor a portfolio-wide deployment strategy down to the individual asset level. We aim to leverage the built environment, developing solar on rooftops, parking lots, and multi-story parking structures. Solar systems can be installed as a retrofit or as part of a building’s initial construction. Solar Parking Canopies combine the benefit of covered parking and onsite clean energy generation. Solar Parking Canopies allow you generate income while providing an amenity to the users of your parking lot and making a public statement of your commitment to environmental sustainability. Rooftop solar transforms unused roof space into a profit center. Our rooftop systems are engineered to meet all building codes and maintain your roof warranty. We do not install solar on roofs with less than 20 years of life remaining. Plankton’s clients range from houses of worship to publicly traded Real Estate Investment Trusts. We determine an interconnection strategy to maximize value. For the property owner, this may range from site lease revenue to a reduction in electricity expense. We develop solar to increase operating income.
- Website
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http://www.planktonenergy.com
External link for Plankton Energy
- Industry
- Solar Electric Power Generation
- Company size
- 2-10 employees
- Headquarters
- Brooklyn, NY
- Type
- Privately Held
- Founded
- 2018
- Specialties
- Solar Energy, Energy Storage, Sustainability Education, Solar Development, Energy Efficiency, and Clean Energy Investments
Locations
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Primary
Get directions
155 Water Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201, US
Employees at Plankton Energy
Updates
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Plankton Energy reposted this
NABCEP PVA | Project Development Engineer | Solar & Energy Storage Design | Grid Integration | System Modeling | I help developers scale renewable projects with cost-effective, high-yield solar + storage solutions
After 3 months of HelioScope modeling, reviewing electrical sets, and tracking real-time production from solar installations, I’m excited to share that I’ll be continuing my solar journey with the amazing team at Plankton Energy this fall.☀️ This summer has been nothing short of transformative. I had the chance to: 🏗️ Support design and modeling across 13+ MW of rooftop and carport systems, gaining a real appreciation for how each project comes together. 📊 Contribute to asset management of 150+ operational sites, digging into data to track performance, spot gaps, and keep projects running at their best. 🤝 Visit sites and collaborate with teams across engineering, interconnection, construction, and O&M, seeing firsthand how every discipline contributes to clean energy at scale and the realm of project development. 🎓 Celebrate earning my NABCEP PV Associate (PVA), which gave me insights into PV markets, safety basics, electricity fundamentals, solar energy concepts, PV module tech, system components, sizing, design, performance analysis, and troubleshooting. What excites me most is how each experience built on the last, from energy modeling and reviewing electrical and civil plans to asset management through performance tracking and availability analysis giving me a complete view of how projects move from design to long-term operation. Now, I’m eager to take the next step: ⚡ Diving deeper into drafting electrical drawings for C&I projects 🔋 Helping Plankton explore opportunities in battery energy storage systems (BESS) 📚 Pursuing advanced NABCEP credentials: PV Design Specialist, PV Installation Professional, and Energy Storage Installation Professional I’m incredibly grateful to the Plankton Energy team for creating an environment where I could learn, grow, and contribute. A big shoutout to the engineering, interconnection, and asset management teams for trusting me with responsibilities that challenged me, strengthened me, and fueled my curiosity. From design to O&M, construction to origination, it’s been eye-opening to see how every piece of this puzzle connects. And I couldn’t be more motivated to keep learning and contributing as Plankton continues its mission to empower today’s grid and businesses with clean energy. 🌎 📸 Sharing a few photos here as well: • With an incredible team whose patience, support, and confidence in me made this journey truly meaningful, whether tackling projects together or unwinding at team events like feather bowling after work. • Standing on rooftops and under solar carports, the mechanical engineer in me felt deeply fulfilled watching systems I had modeled in HelioScope and tracked through monitoring platforms come to life in the real world. Here’s to a fall filled with more growth, collaboration, and impact. 🚀 #SolarEnergy #EnergyStorage #PlanktonEnergy #CommercialSolar #CleanEnergy #Sustainability #RenewableEnergy #CareerGrowth #Gratitude
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The Four Pillars of Commercial Solar Development Developing a commercial solar project is not as simple as installing panels on a roof. A successful project depends on four critical pillars: → Site Control: Secure site leases and licenses that align property goals with solar economics. → Interconnection: Navigate utility queues, feasibility studies, and utility feedback. → AHJ Approvals: Engineer permit packages that satisfy local codes. → Revenue: Build cash flow certainty with PPAs, leases, and incentive enrollment. Plankton Energy integrates all four pillars. The result: reduced development risk, faster approvals, and stronger financial outcomes for CRE owners, asset managers, and investors. Read the full blog here: https://lnkd.in/e2rBw_Fq #CommercialSolar #CREinvestment #SolarProjectDevelopment #SiteControl #SolarInterconnection #SolarPermitting #SustainabilityFinance #PlanktonEnergy
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Massachusetts SMART 3.0: New Rules and Increased Compensation SMART 3.0 reshapes the Massachusetts solar market with a more dynamic, annual framework for commercial projects. For Commercial Real Estate portfolios, this represents both opportunity and complexity. - 450 MW annual allocation for 2025 - Tiered base compensation rates - Location & technology adders: rooftops, canopies, brownfields, floating solar, storage - Storage required for systems > 1MW Rooftops and parking canopies remain the highest-value siting classes—unlocking NOI growth through PPAs, site leases, or direct ownership. Plankton Energy aligns system size and financing with property-level investment strategy. Read the full breakdown: https://lnkd.in/edyNaFGr #CommercialRealEstate #SolarInvestment #MassachusettsSMART #CRE #PlanktonEnergy
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Plankton Energy at RE+ 2025. The Plankton Energy team is on the ground at RE+ 2025, connecting with clean energy professionals across North America. We develop, finance, and operate rooftop and solar parking canopy projects nationwide. Feel free to reach out and meet us on the tradeshow floor! Learn more about Plankton Energy: https://lnkd.in/eRTCrsNV #REPlus25 #CommercialRealEstate #SolarDevelopment #CleanEnergy
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UL 3741: New Compliance Pathways for Rooftop Solar NEC 690.12 rapid shutdown once meant MLPEs on every panel. With UL 3741, developers now have a system-level compliance path—while reducing hardware, simplifying installs, and maintaining firefighter safety. Plankton Energy applied this approach at ShopRite of Elmsford, a 641-kW rooftop solar project generating 775,300 kWh annually and delivering $1.8M in lifetime savings. UL 3741 is expanding how rooftop solar gets built—unlocking flexibility for commercial portfolios. See the complete case study: https://lnkd.in/gWmNyXZb
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New ITC Guidance - Certainty for Commercial Solar. The U.S. Treasury has issued long-awaited clarity on the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) Beginning of Construction rules, providing commercial real estate owners a clear path to capture federal incentives. Key points for Commercial Real Estate portfolios: 1. Small Commercial projects safeguarded. Systems under 1.5 MWac retain the 5% safe harbor, meaning they can meet the commence construction test by either spending 5% of the project cost or starting physical work by July 4, 2026. 2. Four to place in service. Projects commencing construction before July 4, 2026 qualify for the 30% federal ITC, and have four years to place the system in service. Implication: The window to secure the ITC is finite. Commercial Real Estate owners should accelerate site identification, developer partnerships, and contract execution to secure ITC eligibility before the July 2026 deadline. Plankton Energy specializes in end-to-end solar development tailored to commercial real estate portfolios—aligning capital strategy, tax appetite, and sustainability goals to maximize long-term returns. Contact Plankton Energy for a portfolio assessment
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New Blog: Key Drivers in Commercial Solar Sizing & Ownership Decisions In commercial real estate, the question isn’t whether solar makes sense—it’s how to size it and structure ownership for maximum ROI. Our latest blog explores the technical and financial factors that determine system capacity and ownership model. The right combination can unlock predictable revenue, reduce operating costs, and enhance asset value. Read the full post: https://lnkd.in/ec9tZEXy #CommercialRealEstate #SolarFinance #CRE #PlanktonEnergy #Renewables #PPA #SolarDevelopment #AssetManagement
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New Blog: Solar as a Revenue Stream—Lease vs. PPA vs. Direct Purchase For commercial property owners, solar is more than a sustainability initiative—it’s a financial strategy. Our latest blog breaks down the three most common solar financing models: site lease, power purchase agreement (PPA), and direct purchase. Whether you're looking to monetize unused space, lock in discounted electricity rates, or capture tax incentives, choosing the right model is key. Read the full post to explore which approach best aligns with your property’s goals: https://lnkd.in/e_hPA4Xd #CommercialRealEstate #SolarEnergy #Sustainability #PlanktonEnergy #CRE #Renewables #PPA #SolarFinance
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How Does Net Metering Turn Daytime Solar into Nighttime Savings? With net metering, your solar system earns credits for excess energy sent back to the grid. Those credits offset your property’s future usage, especially during nights or cloudy days. That means stronger #ROI without needing a battery system. We structure net metering agreements to align with your utility, system size, and ensure every exported kilowatt works toward faster payback. Solar isn’t just about what you generate—it’s about what you keep. 🔋Our engineering team at #PlanktonEnergy installed a 641 kW rooftop behind-the-meter solar system sits on top the ShopRite (SRS, Inc.) in Elmsford, #NY. The energy generated is sold to the building through a power purchase agreement (#PPA) at a reduced cost from the local utility → https://lnkd.in/eCsPXUHN Speak to one of our dedicated experts in your location to explore state-specific commercial solar net metering policies: https://lnkd.in/etXksARX #CommercialSolar #NetOperatingIncome #RenewableEnergy #CRE