Nelnet strengthens renewables division with GRNE Solar acquisition

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

October 26, 2026
2.6GW of large-scale generation projects reached financial close in Australia in H1 2026, with solar accounting for 92% of the capacity.
October 22, 2026
Solar and battery storage projects have pushed Australia's National Electricity Market (NEM) connection pipeline up 43% in a year to 80.9GW, overtaking the grid's existing 77GW of capacity for the first time.
October 16, 2026
GES has secured four new EPC contracts for three new solar clusters and a standalone solar PV plant in Spain.
October 15, 2026
Australia's solar financial investment decisions (FIDs) have hit a record 3.5GW in 2026, with energy minister Chris Bowen saying renewable energy investment "has already broken the annual record".
October 9, 2026
Dos Grados has agreed to acquire three PV solar projects in Spain from Akuo, with a combined installed capacity of more than 500MW.
October 9, 2026
LGI, an Australian landfill gas and renewables company, has agreed to buy two operating solar PV power plants in Queensland.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
November 3, 2026
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
November 24, 2026
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
February 2, 2027
London, UK
Solar Media Events
April 20, 2027
Istanbul, Türkiye