Nelnet strengthens renewables division with GRNE Solar acquisition

July 5, 2022
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
A rooftop solar system on a house in the US. Image: Sunnova.

Financial services and technology company Nelnet has acquired GRNE Solar, an EPC that designs and installs residential, commercial and utility-scale solar in the US Midwest.

The deal, which closed on 1 July, saw Nelnet also buy under-construction and operating solar assets from an affiliate of GRNE.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

As well as constructing projects typically sized at 1 – 5MW, GRNE offers battery energy storage systems, electric vehicle charging, energy monitoring, and operations and maintenance services.

The firm was established in 2012 by Jess Baker and Eric Peterman, who will continue to lead the business and retain a minority ownership.

“This acquisition presents an outstanding opportunity for the growth of GRNE and for Nelnet’s continued expansion into the renewable energy space,” said GRNE president Baker.

Nelnet’s renewables division offers services such as tax equity investing, community solar subscriptions and campus PV development solutions. The arm’s investment portfolio, including with co-investors, spans more than 200 solar projects.

Scott Gubbels, Nelnet executive director of tax and renewable energy, said the partnership with GRNE will create a solution spanning EPC services, financing offerings and subscription management.

Read Next

December 2, 2025
Australia's NEM faces a fundamental transformation as solar PV generation and BESS drive the transition to a low-emissions energy system.
December 1, 2025
Victoria's first state-owned solar-plus-storage project has reached a major construction milestone, with the installation of all 212,296 PV modules at the SEC Renewable Energy Park in Horsham, Australia.
Premium
November 27, 2025
Prateek Tare tells PV Tech Premium how Distributed Energy Infrastructure transformed a Superfund site into the Acton PV-plus-storage project.
November 27, 2025
Global investment firm Brookfield Asset Management has acquired Singapore-headquartered independent power producer (IPP) Alba Renewables.
November 14, 2025
Developer rPlus Energies has acquired two solar and storage projects with the total capacity of 900MW in Ada County, Idaho.
November 14, 2025
NSW has removed regulatory barriers that previously prevented owners of heritage-listed properties from installing rooftop solar.

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Webinars
December 17, 2025
2pm GMT / 3pm CET
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK
Solar Media Events
March 24, 2026
Dallas, Texas
Solar Media Events
April 15, 2026
Milan, Italy
Solar Media Events
June 16, 2026
Napa, USA