Leading Voices in Real Estate Dave Riess | Co-Founder & CEO Wunder Power
Aug 21, 2025
Dave Riess, Co-Founder & CEO of Wunder Power, discusses the transformative energy transition in commercial real estate. He shares insights on the potential of solar energy and battery storage as pivotal solutions for sustainable properties. Riess emphasizes innovative financing strategies and the importance of strong customer relationships. The conversation also highlights the critical role of batteries in energy management, challenges for data centers, and advocates for market-driven solutions to enhance sustainability in real estate.
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Commercial Solar’s Real Market Is Small Roofs
- Wunder focuses on unlocking commercial rooftop solar because most commercial buildings are too small for multimillion-dollar projects.
- Scaling to many smaller systems captures the true total addressable market in commercial real estate.
Vertical Integration Solves Repeatability
- Vertically integrate if financing third-party developers creates friction and reduces repeat business.
- Own and finance your projects to align incentives and deliver a consistent customer experience.
Solar Usually Translates To Lease Income
- The product for owners is NOI uplift, usually delivered as a roof lease rather than direct asset sale.
- Many institutional owners prefer lease income because energy asset ownership may not fit their capital mandates.
