Strata Clean Energy

Strata Clean Energy operates as a vertically integrated provider of utility-scale solar and battery storage systems. The company, headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, manages the entire lifecycle of clean energy projects, from initial development and financing to engineering, procurement, construction (EPC), and ongoing operations and maintenance (O&M). This end-to-end approach allows Strata to manage project quality and delivery for its clients, which primarily include utilities, Independent Power Producers (IPPs), municipalities, and electric cooperatives.

Founded in 2008 by Markus Wilhelm, the company initially began as a residential solar installer before pivoting to the utility-scale market. Wilhelm, a former media executive with companies like Bertelsmann AG and Time Warner, started the venture with his wife after retiring to North Carolina. What began as a green construction business evolved into Strata Solar, LLC in 2009, following the 2008 real estate market crash. A key breakthrough for the company was its early success in navigating North Carolina's regulatory landscape, specifically leveraging the Public Utility Regulatory Policy Act (PURPA) to develop numerous 5-megawatt solar farms. In April 2021, the company rebranded from Strata Solar to Strata Clean Energy to reflect its expanded focus beyond solar to include battery storage and other clean energy technologies.

The company's business model is centered on developing, building, and in some cases owning, large-scale clean energy assets. Revenue is generated through multiple streams, including engineering, procurement, and construction services, as well as long-term Operations & Maintenance contracts. For the assets it owns, Strata secures long-term revenue through Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and capacity payments with utility companies. The company has a significant project pipeline, which includes thousands of megawatts of solar and battery storage under development. To fund its large-scale infrastructure projects, Strata collaborates with financial institutions and investors. A notable milestone includes a 2022 acquisition of Crossover Energy Partners, a move that enhanced its capabilities in customer origination and power offtake structuring.

Strata's core services are the development of utility-scale solar farms and battery energy storage systems (BESS). The company's in-house EPC team handles design, material sourcing, and construction, aiming to minimize long-term energy costs through quality craftsmanship. Following construction, its O&M division oversees asset performance to maximize energy production and revenue. Landmark projects include the Saticoy and Inland Empire battery storage facilities in California and the Scatter Wash battery storage complex in Arizona.

Keywords: utility-scale solar, battery energy storage, EPC services, O&M services, renewable energy development, power purchase agreements, clean energy infrastructure, project financing, grid-scale batteries, solar farm construction, energy project lifecycle, independent power producers, electric cooperatives, energy asset management, decarbonization solutions, power offtake agreements, renewable energy projects, energy storage solutions, solar development, clean energy finance