FAQs

Renewable Energy is a complex industry. REV is here to answer your questions.

If you need help outside of these questions,
please connect with us directly.

Renewable Energy Strategy Questions

Commercial buildings are under increasing pressure from rising electricity costs, investor ESG expectations, aging electrical infrastructure, and evolving utility programs. A well-designed renewable energy strategy can reduce operating expenses, create new revenue opportunities, improve asset value, and prepare your portfolio for future energy challenges.

A renewable energy strategy is a roadmap for determining which distributed energy solutions make financial sense for your property or portfolio.

Rather than starting with equipment, REV begins with your business goals, evaluates each property’s financial and technical potential, and recommends the solutions that provide the strongest return on investment.
Distributed energy solutions are energy systems located at or near your property instead of at a distant power plant.

Examples include:
  • Rooftop solar
  • Parking canopy solar
  • Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
  • Microgrids
  • EV charging
  • Shared solar
  • Energy management systems
No. Every property is different. Factors such as electricity rates, demand charges, utility incentives, available space, local construction costs, ownership timeline, and local regulations determine whether a project is financially attractive.

One of REV’s primary roles is helping clients determine where investments make sense—and where they don’t.

Financial Questions

Often, yes—but the amount depends on:
  • Local utility rates
  • State incentives
  • Building energy usage
  • Available roof or parking area
  • Financing structure
  • Tax liability

Some projects primarily reduce operating costs, while others create entirely new revenue streams.
Many projects can be completed with:
  • Owner capital
  • Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)
  • Third-party financing
  • Tax credit monetization
  • Other financing structures

The best option depends on your financial objectives and ownership strategy.
A PPA allows a third party to finance, own, and operate the solar system while the property purchases electricity—typically at a lower rate than utility power—with little or no upfront capital investment.

In this scenario, building owners should expect to:
  • Supply utility bills
  • Attain detailed interval usage data from their electricity provider to supply to the 3rd party PPA owner
  • Have a credit check done / be a part of a credit worthiness study
  • Allow the 3rd party PPA owner access to the property for a site walk
Payback varies by location and project type. REV evaluates projected Internal Rate of Return (IRR), cash flow, Net Present Value (NPV), and payback before recommending any investment.
Yes. While incentive programs continue to evolve, many utilities and states still offer valuable incentives for solar, battery storage, and other distributed energy technologies. Federal tax incentives may also apply depending on the project structure.

REV continuously evaluates available incentive programs as part of every financial analysis.

Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Questions

A Battery Energy Storage System stores electricity for later use.
Depending on the market and building type, batteries may:
  • Reduce expensive demand charges
  • Generate revenue through utility programs
  • Improve resilience during outages
  • Support future electrification
It can. Some battery systems are designed primarily for financial performance, while others are engineered to provide backup power for critical building operations—or even entire facilities, depending on system size and owner objectives.
Depending on the utility market, batteries may generate value by:
  • Reducing demand charges
  • Participating in utility demand response programs
  • Providing grid services
  • Capturing available incentive payments
  • Shifting electricity use to lower-cost periods

Available opportunities vary by state and utility.

Property & Portfolio Questions

REV works primarily with commercial real estate portfolios, including:
  • Hotels & resorts
  • Multifamily communities
  • Senior living
  • Mixed-use developments
  • Retail centers
  • Office properties
  • Cold Storage
  • Industrial facilities
Yes. Many clients begin with a portfolio assessment to identify which properties have the greatest financial potential, allowing capital to be prioritized where returns are strongest.
Yes. REV provides asset management and performance monitoring to ensure consistent energy production for existing systems, expansion planning / overall renewable energy strategy, and evaluations to determine whether additional solar or battery storage opportunities exist.

About REV

REV serves as an independent strategic advisor and Owner’s Representative. Because REV is vendor agnostic, recommendations are based on the client’s financial objectives—not on selling a specific product or installation service.
REV manages the entire development process but does not manufacture nor install equipment. Instead, REV helps clients:
  • Develop strategy
  • Evaluate financial performance
  • Select qualified contractors
  • Negotiate contracts
  • Manage Construction
  • Manage long-term system performance
The earlier the better. The greatest value is created before major decisions are made—during planning, acquisitions, renovations, new development, refinancing, or portfolio strategy discussions.
The process typically begins with a conversation about your portfolio, energy goals, and ownership strategy. From there, REV can perform a preliminary assessment and recommend whether additional analysis is warranted.
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Renewable Energy Glossary for Commercial Property Owners