SolarSquare Secures $40 Million in Record-Breaking Solar Venture
Deal News | Jan 06, 2025 | Lightrock
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SolarSquare, a Mumbai-based solar startup, has raised $40 million in a round led by Lightspeed, marking the largest venture investment in India's solar sector. Initially a bootstrapped firm focusing on corporate clients, SolarSquare pivoted to residential solar in 2021 and has since become the nation’s largest distributed solar operator, with installations across over 20,000 homes. The company offers a unique full-stack service guaranteeing returns on solar investments and compensating customers if promised performance levels are not met. This investment, which includes participation from Lightrock and existing backers Elevation Capital and others, will fuel SolarSquare’s expansion into 50 cities, from the current 20, while continuing to prioritize safety and quality. The surge in interest for solar energy is partly fueled by Indian government incentives, such as depreciation benefits, tax holidays, and capital subsidies. SolarSquare plans to harness these incentives, helping its customers access government benefits, amid India’s ambitious renewable energy targets.
Sectors
- Renewable Energy
- Venture Capital
Geography
- India – SolarSquare is an Indian company, with operations and expansion plans situated within India, addressing the national push towards renewable energy.
Industry
- Renewable Energy – SolarSquare operates within the renewable energy sector, focusing on solar energy solutions, providing residential and commercial solar installations.
- Venture Capital – The article discusses a significant venture capital investment round led by Lightspeed and participated in by Lightrock, underscoring the importance of venture capital in scaling operations for renewable energy companies.
Financials
- $40 million – The amount raised by SolarSquare in the latest funding round led by Lightspeed and participated in by Lightrock and other existing investors.
- $1,500 – The average cost for consumers to buy and have a solar system installed by SolarSquare.
- 500 gigawatts – India's renewable energy capacity target by 2030.
- 280 gigawatts – The expected contribution from solar power to India's renewable energy target by 2030.
- $3 billion – Production-linked incentive scheme introduced by the Indian government to boost domestic solar manufacturing.
Participants
Name | Role | Type | Description |
---|---|---|---|
SolarSquare | Target Company | Company | A Mumbai-based startup and the largest operator of distributed solar assets in India, focusing on residential installations. |
Lightspeed | Lead Investor | Company | A venture capital firm that led the $40 million investment round in SolarSquare. |
Lightrock | Investor | Company | A private equity firm that participated in the investment round for SolarSquare. |
Elevation Capital | Existing Investor | Company | An investor that previously invested in SolarSquare and participated in the current funding round. |
Chris Sacca's Lowercarbon | Existing Investor | Company | An investment firm focused on low-carbon solutions, part of the existing investor group in SolarSquare. |
Nithin Kamath’s Rainmatter | Existing Investor | Company | An investment firm owned by Nithin Kamath, contributing to SolarSquare's funding. |