Currents Ep324: Evolving Community Solar and Storage
Nov 13, 2025
Stefano Ratti, CEO of Chaberton Energy, is a community solar developer pioneering the integration of battery storage into renewable projects. He discusses the impact of market shifts and policy changes on solar development. Ratti highlights the pros and cons of project ownership versus development and elaborates on how community solar economics adapt to tariff changes. He shares insights on the comfort of financiers with community solar and the importance of state-level support. Finally, Ratti predicts a bright future for solar plus storage as the market evolves.
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Community Solar Handles Price Swings
- Community solar projects tolerate equipment price swings better than large utility projects due to higher per-watt margin.
- Not being locked into fixed PPAs lets community projects capture upside from rising retail rates.
Pitch Diversification To Win Financing
- Demonstrate operational track record and diversification to attract financing for community solar projects.
- Show that projects serve many subscribers rather than a single offtaker to reduce perceived credit risk.
Early Capital From Greenbacker
- Chaberton raised initial corporate capital from Greenbacker in 2020 and has remained cash-flow positive since.
- They considered further corporate transactions but paused amid post-election investor caution.