Illuminated: the new economics of solar

Let’s talk a lot: more solar energy hits the planet each hour than all the fossil energy humanity has ever burned. For free. 

What does that mean for rooftop revenue? Dynamic times. Prices range widely. On everyone’s mind: the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) sunsets the 30% federal solar tax credit. We now have regulatory clarity: for projects over 1.5 MW, the old “5% spend to qualify” rule is gone—replaced by a physical work requirement that changes decision timelines. The rest is complicated, and we can help you navigate it. More below.

The fundamentals haven't changed: empty rooftops across commercial real estate and solar remain a natural fit. The buildings that add solar income today will be the ones generating premium returns tomorrow.

We built Lumen Energy for moments like this. We’re proudly supporting the largest institutional landlords to move quickly and confidently, using this moment to act.

Read the latest OBBB guidance here.

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Introducing Lumen Lessons: a video FAQ series

Solar can be complex and pricing even more so. Our new video series, Lumen Lessons, tackles the industry’s most frequently asked questions. In the first episode, CEO Peter Light breaks down why solar bid spreads can vary so widely and what that means for your projects. Watch all of the videos on Lumen Energy's Youtube channel.

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Saw you at

Lumen Energy joined industry leaders at New York Climate Week 2025. Here’s what stood out:

• Energy + AI are converging fast: Industrial landlords are repositioning assets as data centers.
• Perovskites are the new plastics: Soon we’ll see layered cells that boost efficiency and even “velcro-on” rooftop panels.
• States are driving climate action: Policy leadership is increasingly local.
• Today’s energy prices ≠ tomorrow’s grid reality: Utility rates are already climbing—and the AI surge isn’t priced in yet.

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OBBB solar feasibility report

In response to the major shifts brought by OBBB, we’ve launched a free portfolio-wide solar feasibility report. It incorporates new financial dynamics and the tighter project timelines required under the updated rules. Get your free PDF report here.

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Employee spotlight

What we're reading

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Global solar installations surge 64% in the first half of 2025

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Read more at Ember

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The US is adding EV chargers at a record pace

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Read more at Bloomberg

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Looking ahead