Drawing on over 1,849 live bids, the inaugural Lumen Solar Index gives commercial real estate owners the market data they’ve never had access to — until now.

Our inaugural quarterly benchmark tracks what commercial rooftop solar is actually worth — in $/ft²/yr across NJ, MA, MD, and IL — so owners and capital partners have a number to point to.

Learn how commercial solar installations protect your roof and what happens if issues arise. Expert guidance for real estate owners considering rooftop leasing.

If you're a commercial real estate owner considering rooftop leasing for solar, insurance is one of those practical questions that deserves a clear answer. The short version? Solar installations typically have minimal impact on your insurance premiums—and with the right structure, they shouldn't increase your risk at all.

Can your commercial rooftops support solar installations? Whether you're managing foam roofs, industrial facilities, or aging structures, understanding roof compatibility is essential for turning underutilized rooftops into predictable revenue streams.

If you're exploring rooftop leasing opportunities for your commercial real estate portfolio, one of the first questions you'll ask is: How much roof space do I actually need? The answer depends on the type of solar project, the market you're in, and what developers are looking for—but we can give you clear benchmarks to work with.

When commercial real estate owners solicit bids for onsite solar, one of the first surprises is how widely pricing can vary for the same building.Across hundreds of transactions, we consistently see developers submit offers that differ by multiples, not margins. In one recent Maryland example, annual lease proposals ranged from $180,000 to $284,000. That $104,000 gap in year one alone adds up to more than $2 million over the life of the lease.The takeaway is simple: a single developer quote is one opinion, but a competitive process is what reveals the true market value of solar on your building’s roof.

Should you replace your roof before going solar? How does roof condition impact your solar project timeline and returns? If you're a commercial real estate owner evaluating rooftop leasing opportunities, these questions matter—and the answers can significantly impact your project economics and NOI.