For Immediate Release
June 5, 2012
Geostellar Raises Funds to Help Turn Energy Consumers into Producers
Investment From NRG Energy, GeoEye, and Flash Forward Ventures Will Fund Roll-out to Major Solar Energy Markets
BETHESDA, MD – Geostellar, providers of advanced geomatic technology to accurately determine the value of solar energy generation for property owners, today announced an investment from strategic, financial and economic development sources including NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NRG), GeoEye, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEOY), the State of Maryland and Flash Forward Ventures. The funding will accelerate the delivery of Geostellar’s solar intelligence to homeowners and corporate facility managers who, for the first time, can easily evaluate the rate of return for on-site solar energy investments. Ewing Bemiss & Co. acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Geostellar in the transaction.
“In the past, the solar equation was too complicated,” said David Levine, CEO of Geostellar. “We’ve simplified the operations that go into evaluating opportunities for solar energy, calculating the precise metrics that enable property owners to make informed decisions without the hassle.”
The site assessment, system design and financial analysis processes for solar projects have traditionally been performed on an individual basis, placing a heavy burden on property owners. Geostellar optimizes a number of these processes through automation, including:
- Determining the slope and orientation of a rooftop or ground site
- Estimating the impact of shading from vegetation, structures and landscape on solar radiation
- Modeling power production based on site geometry and shading, as well as possible equipment configurations
- Applying utility rates and available incentives to determine solar cost savings
- Underwriting financing options such as leases, power purchase agreements and loans
- Securing permits and rebates from local authorities
Through its proprietary predictive algorithms, Geostellar allows site owners in active solar markets to easily determine key project factors including rate of return, potential electricity savings and environmental benefits. Using 3D simulation, Geostellar can model solar production and financial performance for the potential project site. The result is an accurate assessment of solar value for each property, including unbiased recommendations on equipment, financing and installation options. To extend coverage nationally, Geostellar will source remote sensing data from strategic investor GeoEye.
“Geostellar represents an opportunity for residential and commercial property owners to take control of their energy management, including generation, efficiency and storage,” said Denise Wilson, Executive Vice President of NRG Energy and President, Alternative Energy Services. “Educating and informing the public on the solar value of their properties is an important first step in creating a thriving market for clean, green and renewable energy solutions.”
Ms. Wilson and Richard Vague, Co-founder and former CEO of EnergyPlus, will join Jonathan Baker, Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of HelioSage; Rob Miller, Chairman and Managing Director of Flash Forward Ventures; and Mr. Levine on the Geostellar Board of Directors. Tony Frazier, Senior Vice President of Marketing from GeoEye will participate as a Board Observer.
“In recent years, Geostellar has served leading solar companies by reducing origination costs and creating operational efficiencies through big-data geomatics,” Levine said. “We now have the opportunity to reach the property owners that can most benefit from solar and introduce them to the goods and services that will allow them to lower their electricity bills while contributing to environmental sustainability.”
About Geostellar
By reducing the soft costs associated with solar energy projects, Geostellar brings distributed solar generation closer to grid parity and opens new markets across the United States. Through its proprietary predictive algorithms, the company offers access to the knowledge and guidance required for residential and commercial property owners to make smarter energy decisions and benefit from reduced electricity costs. For more information visit: http://www.geostellar.com, email info@geostellar.com, like us on Facebook or follow @geostella on Twitter.
About Ewing Bemiss & Co.
Ewing Bemiss & Co. is a renewable energy-focused investment banking firm that is a valued advisor to leading developers of biomass, solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, waste-to-energy and energy efficiency projects in the U.S. and abroad. The firm’s New York office, which advised in this transaction, is one of the most active advisors to solar developers and projects in the US and Europe.
For more information, please visit www.ewingbemiss.com or contact:
Jay Moorhead
Managing Director
(212) 588-0501
j.moorhead@ewingbemiss.com
Rick Petree
Managing Director
(212) 588-0503
r.petree@ewingbemiss.com
Rahul Goswami
Associate
(212) 588-0505
r.goswami@ewingbemiss.com