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HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | JUNE 29, 2026 29 Turning Roof Space into Revenue Featured in photo (from left to right) Danielle Fidel, Mike Maiscalco, Sam Schneider, and Jake Schneider C ommercial property owners are accustomed to collecting rent from the space inside their build- ings. Warehouses, manufacturing facilities, office buildings, and retail centers all generate value because someone occupies them and pays for the right to use that space. But what about the roof? Not many building owners think about their roofs as sources of income. For most building owners, the roof has histor- ically been viewed as a necessary expense. It requires maintenance, repairs, inspections, and eventually replacement. It protects the building from the elements, but it rarely if ever produces income. In recent years there has been a shift with the introduction of third party owned rooftop solar projects monetizing an underutilized asset. Today, many commercial property owners are generating long-term revenue by leas- ing roof space for solar development. Rather than purchasing and operating a solar system themselves, they simply allow a qualified solar investor to use a portion of their roof in exchange for lease payments. is allows the building owner to generate income without having to become an expert in the solar field. In many ways, it is no different than adding a new tenant to the building. e solar investor provides the capital, owns the equipment, and is responsible for operating and maintain - ing the system. e property owner provides permission to use the roof space and receives income. In Connecticut, that annual roof lease payment is typically a 20-year agreement, lon- ger than many traditional tenant leases. For building owners, the appeal is obvious. ere is no large capital investment required, no responsibility for system performance, and no high maintenance tenant. Simply equipment residing on the roof generating power. Instead, an underutilized portion of the property becomes a source of predictable long-term income. is will raise the NOI of the building without any capital expendi - ture which benefits the owner whether the intention is to hold the building long term or increase the sale price of the building. We're seeing more and more commercial real estate owners take advantage of this opportu- nity. What often starts with a single building quickly expands into a broader portfolio strat- egy. Once owners understand the economics, the limited risk exposure, and the simplicity of the arrangement, they frequently begin evalu- ating additional properties for solar suitability. Rinse and repeat. Of course, not every building is a good candi- date. Roof size, structural capacity, age, roof- ing condition, utility infrastructure, and inter- connection availability all play important roles in determining whether a project can move forward. A solar lease only creates value if a project successfully makes it from concept to operation. at is why choosing the right part - ner matters. Connecticut's solar market has unique utility requirements and interconnec- tion challenges that can significantly impact project success. Identifying a promising roof is only the first step. Successfully navigating the engineering, utility coordination, permitting, financing, and construction process is what ultimately turns a rooftop opportunity into a revenue-producing asset. At Earthlight, we've spent years helping cus- tomers navigate those challenges. Our team understands the technical and utility-side complexities that often determine whether a project succeeds or stalls. We work with experienced investment partners who provide the capital, own the systems, and manage long-term operations while allowing building owners to benefit from the value of their roof space. For the right property, the opportunity can be surprisingly simple: grant permission for a new kind of tenant, generate long-term lease revenue, and transform an asset that was once viewed solely as an expense into one that helps produce income. If you own or manage a commercial building, or a portfolio of buildings, and would like to understand whether your roof could be a good candidate for reve - nue generation, contact Earthlight Com- mercial Services at (860) 871-9700 or commercialservices@earthlighttech.com. S P O N S O R E D C O N T E N T