Mysunshare

About Mysunshare

SunShare operates as a developer, owner, and operator of community solar gardens, positioning itself as one of the nation's earliest and largest firms in this market segment. Established in 2011 by David Amster-Olszewski, the company was founded to broaden consumer access to solar energy. The founder's path began after a conversation with his mother highlighted the impracticality of rooftop solar for many, which led him to explore shared solar models upon learning about Colorado's Community Solar Gardens Act. Amster-Olszewski, a Colorado College graduate with a degree in International Political Economics and prior experience at SunPower, launched the venture from his apartment, securing the first competitive community solar program in the U.S. with Colorado Springs Utilities.

The company's business model centers on developing and managing large-scale, off-site solar arrays on leased or purchased land, often utilizing underused sections of farms. It serves a diverse client base, including homeowners, renters, small businesses, municipalities, and non-profits who are unable or unwilling to install rooftop panels. Subscribers commit to a portion of the energy generated by a solar garden without any upfront installation costs. This energy is fed into the local utility's grid, and in return, subscribers receive solar credits on their monthly electricity bills, effectively lowering their energy costs. Revenue is generated from these subscriptions and the sale of power to utility partners. Customers typically receive two bills: one from their utility showing the solar credit, and one from SunShare for the subscription.

SunShare manages the entire project lifecycle, from site development and construction to customer acquisition and asset management, which it also offers as a suite of managed services to utilities and other developers. This integrated approach allows the company to maintain its assets long-term. Since its inception, the firm has developed over 150 MW of solar projects across states like Colorado and Minnesota, serving more than 16,000 subscribers. Significant milestones include surpassing 100 MW of developed projects in January 2019. The company has secured at least $30 million in funding, with a notable Series A round in September 2021 led by Ember Infrastructure to fuel expansion into new markets.