Arcadia, the clean energy software and data analytics firm, revealed that it now oversees an impressive 2 GW of community solar capacity, spanning 15 states and boasting more than 223,000 subscribers. Notably, around 22% of Arcadia's community solar subscribers fall within the low-to-moderate-income bracket.
This achievement comes on the heels of Arcadia surpassing the 1 GW mark in 2022, a remarkable feat and an industry first for the startup that was established in 2014.
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Arcadia's approach involves ensuring enrolled customers automatically receive solar credits on their power bills, resulting in annual savings as respective solar farms generate clean energy. The company's commitment to inclusivity is underscored by the significant percentage of low-to-moderate-income households benefiting from its community solar initiatives.
Kiran Bhatraju, the Founder and CEO of Arcadia, shared insights during his appearance on the Factor This! podcast, shedding light on the pivotal role data plays in the company's operations. Bhatraju emphasized that data is “foundational” for deploying Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) at scale. Arcadia's software platform, Arc, primarily utilizes data from utilities, with 90% of the accessed data sourced directly from customer accounts with their explicit permission.
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Bhatraju's perspective extends to the role of distribution utilities, as he advocates for them to concentrate on distributing power rather than generating it. He envisions a “coordinator” role for distribution utilities, managing DERs and optimizing their integration into the broader energy landscape.
Arcadia's strategic use of data, coupled with its inclusive approach to community solar, positions the firm as a significant player in the evolving landscape of clean energy solutions.
