Sungevity on the Move with $125 Million in Funding
1/16/2013
OAKLAND, CA
“Our ability to attract substantial investment from a list of respected backers is a powerful vote of confidence in our highly scalable growth model and customer-centric approach to doing business,” said Andrew Birch, Sungevity’s Chief Executive Officer. “We believe this new funding will take us into the next phase of growth and allow us to deliver on our mission of building the world’s most energized network of customers who power their lives with sunshine.”
“Energy Capital is excited to partner with Sungevity to provide an innovative and flexible capital solution to efficiently finance its on-going solar installations,” said Nazar Massouh, who leads ECP’s energy-focused mezzanine investment activities. “Sungevity’s unique customer acquisition approach, scalable business model and stable cash flow generated by its established customer base, is a natural fit for our diversified energy portfolio.”
Sungevity’s leadership focused on driving increased efficiencies into its business model in 2012, including the optimization of its Solar Social Strategy, which helped the company effectively attack the sector’s common hurdle of high-cost customer acquisition. Key components of the strategy include partnerships with for-profit and non-profit organizations, including Lowe’s, Credo Mobile and Sierra Club, as well as the development of proprietary software that provides Sungevity customers with the capability to easily refer friends and family. As a result of these efforts -- combined with the company's already-established success in providing current customers with exceptional service -- Sungevity now acquires the majority of new clients through referrals from existing customers and partners. The company also leverages Internet and satellite technology to circumvent the high overhead costs related to providing potential customers with pricing quotes, and it partners with a network of preferred local installers to offset staff-related installation costs. As a result, the company has reduced installation costs by 30% in 2012.
“While overshadowed by news in the solar manufacturing sector, the downstream market, particularly residential solar, continues to experience rapid growth,” said Rob Davenport, Brightpath Capital’s Managing Partner. “Sungevity’s model has demonstrated cost advantages and margin expansion potential that are unique within the sector and we believe the company is positioned for sustained growth.”
“Sungevity’s focus on innovation and superior customer experience, combined with their streamlined business model and the residential sector’s high growth potential, make it a compelling opportunity,” said
Reuben Munger, Founder and Managing Partner of Vision Ridge Partners, L.L.C.
“There is a chasm between the reality and perception of residential solar’s rapid growth,” said David Asarnow, Principal at Craton Equity Partners. “Our backing reflects our confidence that Sungevity’s smart and uniquely low-cost model will lead the way across that chasm.”
The $125 million in funding follows a series of strategic achievements and significant growth, including doubling the number of annual installations every year since the company started, expanding to Australia (the company’s second international market) and filling four executive positions in the third quarter of 2012. Operational milestones for Sungevity include:
Introduction of the world’s first Remote Solar Design technology and business process in 2008.
An exclusive relationship and equity investment from Lowe’s, the world’s second largest home improvement retailer, in May 2011.
Expansion into six Northeast states, bringing U.S. presence to nine states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York in July 2011.
Becoming the first U.S. residential solar company to expand internationally through an equity stake in new Dutch solar company, Zonline, in November 2011.
Further expansion overseas in April 2012 through a joint venture called Sungevity Australia that will provide Australian homeowners with the first ever pay-as-you-go solar option.
Cutting installation costs by over 30% in 2012.
Significantly reducing customer acquisition costs by successfully activating Solar Social Strategy in 2012.
ABOUT SUNGEVITY
Sungevity is a global solar energy provider focused on making it easy and affordable for homeowners to benefit from solar power. Leveraging proprietary remote solar design technology, Sungevity can deliver a quote without a home visit and provide homeowners with visibility to potential savings on their electricity bills. The company continues to grow its global customer base and now services 12 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and the Netherlands. Sungevity is also the residential solar partner to Lowe’s, and was recognized in 2015 by B Corp as one of the “Best for the World” companies for overall social and environmental impact. For more information, visit www.sungevity.com.
CONTACT:
John Ordoña
Sungevity, Inc.
(510) 496-5673
jordona@sungevity.com