Barter

Barter Energy develops, invests in, and operates collective self-consumption solar communities in Spain. The company was co-founded in 2021 by CEO Isabel Reija, Chairman Martin Varsavsky, and Vice Chairman Miguel Salís, a team with extensive experience in the renewable energy and electricity retail sectors. In May 2025, the energy and telecommunications operator Visalia acquired Barter from Energy Transition Solutions (a platform backed by Asterion Industrial Partners) and other minority shareholders to lead its next phase of expansion.

The business model is centered on leasing large, unused rooftops on buildings like warehouses or schools, installing photovoltaic plants at its own expense, and selling the locally produced energy to consumers within a 2-kilometer radius. This approach allows households and businesses to access 100% renewable energy and save up to 40% on electricity bills without needing their own roof or making any upfront investment. Customers contract with Barter's energy retailer, "Tu energía más cercana," to receive power from these local solar installations. This model bridges the gap between property owners, who earn revenue from leasing their space, and nearby energy consumers.

Since its inception, Barter has become a leading independent operator in Spain's solar community sector. By May 2025, the company had 256 operational solar communities across 25 provinces. In addition to its core business, Barter is expanding into related electrical services, including a network of ultra-fast charging stations for electric vehicles called "BarterGo".

Keywords: collective solar self-consumption, solar energy communities, renewable energy retailer, shared solar installations, local energy generation, photovoltaic plants, distributed generation, energy transition, accessible solar power, EV charging network, electricity cost savings, zero investment solar, clean energy, rooftop solar leasing, sustainable energy solutions, Spanish energy market