Rated Power

Rated Power operates as a specialized software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider focused on the renewable energy sector, specifically targeting the optimization of utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) plants. The company was founded in Madrid, Spain, in March 2017 by Andrea Barber, Miguel Ángel Torrero, and Juan Romero. The founders identified a significant inefficiency in the industry: the traditional process for designing solar plants was labor-intensive and time-consuming, often taking weeks and not always yielding the most optimal design. Their collective background in engineering and renewable energy, with both Barber and Torrero having previously worked at SOLIDA ENERGIAS RENOVABLES, provided them with the direct experience to address this bottleneck.

The core of Rated Power's offering is its cloud-based platform, pvDesign. This software automates and optimizes the feasibility study, analysis, design, and engineering of solar power plants. It allows clients to input site-specific data, such as topography and location, and then rapidly generates optimal layouts and comprehensive engineering documentation. The platform is designed to significantly reduce design time from weeks to minutes, lower the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) by approximately 5%, and increase plant profitability by up to 20%. The software also includes features for designing hybrid projects with integrated battery energy storage systems (BESS), as well as substations and transmission lines. The business model is based on an annual subscription to access the pvDesign platform.

The company's clientele includes developers, Independent Power Producers (IPPs), Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractors, investors, and manufacturers in the global solar industry. A significant milestone in the company's history was its acquisition by Enverus, a major US-based energy SaaS company, in September 2022. This acquisition was intended to expand Enverus's portfolio in the solar sector and broaden its international reach, integrating Rated Power's specialized capabilities. Prior to the acquisition, Rated Power had secured a $6 million Series A funding round in October 2021, led by Seaya Ventures. Following the acquisition, the founding team has remained with the business, with Andrea Barber serving as VP of Power and Renewables at Enverus.

Keywords: solar plant design, photovoltaic engineering, pvDesign, renewable energy software, utility-scale solar, LCOE optimization, SaaS, energy technology, solar project development, feasibility analysis, battery energy storage systems, BESS design, solar farm layout, Enverus, Andrea Barber, grid interconnection, solar investment, EPC services, PV simulation, cleantech