Lafayette Square, an investment platform for social impact, and Invenergy a global developer/operator of sustainable energy solutions, launched Reactivate. It is a community solar energy platform that supports local renewable energy development. Reactivate is a community solar energy platform that invests in innovative projects and collaborates with local partners to provide renewable energy benefits for underserved areas.
Lafayette Square and Invenergy are part of the joint venture and will provide capital, technical help, and dedicated executives to develop and operate Reactivate. The company plans to finance, acquire and develop solar energy projects that are primarily for low-to moderate income (LMI) communities or areas that are disproportionately affected in the clean energy transition. The platform will focus on community and small-scale solar projects as well as next-generation projects such energy storage, building electrification, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Reactivate aims to make an impact by increasing renewable energy access and providing energy cost savings to LMI families and individuals who sign up for its solar projects. The company will provide employment opportunities in development, construction, and operations. It will also focus worker training efforts on previously underrepresented groups of the workforce and those who are transitioning to renewable energy.
These projects are expected to generate local property tax revenue and create opportunities for women-owned and minority-owned business enterprises (MWBEs). Reactivate’s 2030 goals are to create three GWs of renewable energy capacity, reduce energy costs by $50 million for LMI households and sign 100 contracts with minority- or women-owned contractors. It also aims at providing training for 2,500 people who are underserved.
“We are excited to partner with Invenergy to increase access to renewable energy and unlock the economic and social potential of local communities,” states Damien Dwin, founder and CEO of Lafayette Square. “By bringing together capital, technology, experienced solar operators and targeted employee training programs, we believe we can create a more inclusive and localized renewable energy production model benefitting historically marginalized communities.”
Dwin has been a partner with Invenergy since 2005. Dwin has been investing in Invenergy for over 20 years. Reactivate is the culmination of this relationship.
“We are proud to work with Lafayette Square on this venture that will expand Invenergy’s reach to new communities and advance our mission to build a more sustainable world,” says Michael Polsky, founder and CEO at Invenergy. “We look forward to accelerating the clean energy transition with a partner that is as committed to delivering environmental and social benefits to all communities as we are.”
Reactivate is majority owned by a minority-owned company. The company will be managed and controlled by a board that includes Renee Beaumont, Damien Dwin, and Michael Polsky from Lafayette Square. Jim Murphy of Invenergy will also manage it.