Solar lifecycle management software leader Raptor Maps announced on April 13 that it has raises $22 million in Series B funding to advance analytics and insights via its Raptor Solar software platform. Led by Canadian private investment firm MKB with substantial contribution from the Microsoft Climate Innovation Fund, the underwriting highlights the power of data and analytics in lifting solar energy ROI.

Raptor Solar is a software-as-a-service platform for the entire solar lifecycle — from financing and development through operations. Raptor Solar lets utility-scale and C&I solar companies standardize and analyze data, collaborate, optimize PV assets, reduce risk and ultimately lift financial return.

The SaaS platform serves as an auditable system of record featuring state-of-the-art digital twins of solar assets. In what is said to be an industry first, users can scan in module serial numbers to streamline warranty claims and verify supply chains. Subscribers benefit from inspection analytics, productivity tools and ability to quantify financial loss and even benchmark portfolios against Raptor Maps’ global database. The software, says Raptor Maps, solves major growing pains across solar finance, development and asset management.

Raptor Maps offers advanced analytics, insights and productivity software for the entire solar lifecycle. The Raptor Solar software platform features a digital twin of a solar site, aerial thermal inspections, data standardization and normalization, serial number mapping, warranty claim features, equipment records, mobile tools and more. With intelligence for the entire solar industry—asset owners, managers, O&M, engineers, EPCs, financiers and OEMs—users can standardize and compare data across installations, increase performance, reduce risk and ultimately lift ROI.

“Making the solar industry more profitable represents progress towards advancing a sustainable energy future,” CEO and co-founder Nikhil Vadhavkar said. “Our mission is to build software that enables solar energy to scale. We’re delighted to have partners with the right expertise to support our ambitious plans.”

The funding will enable Raptor Maps to accelerate its hiring plans with significant investment in product, software and data science. The company will advance its feature-rich product roadmap with more functionality related to workflow automation, work orders, investor reporting and insights powered machine learning.

“To meet the world’s urgent climate goals, the energy industry needs tools to become nimbler and deploy renewable energy quickly,” explained Mark Kroese, General Manager, Sustainability Solutions at Microsoft. “Raptor Maps is digitizing solar supply chains, deployment and operations, which will help accelerate the global transition to cleaner energy solutions.”

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Brightstar Capital Partners announced on April 13 that its portfolio company, ERC, LLC, is combining with Oasis Systems, LLC, to expand and scale advanced engineering, cybersecurity and technology-focused consulting solutions for global aerospace and defense communities.

ERC-Oasis will be a leading innovator, providing advanced engineering, cybersecurity and technology-focused consulting solutions. The companies share an entrepreneurial engineering approach, and will bring together complementary capabilities and cultures to serve customers in more than 36 states across the U.S.

“Our government continues to need comprehensive and innovative solutions to help support its missions, protect and defend our country, and move the nation forward now and for generations to come,” said Michael Singer, partner at Brightstar. “We are excited to start a new chapter and see tremendous opportunities for growth By delivering a more robust set of services to better meet customers’ needs and expectations.”

The acquisition is expected to close approximately in the second quarter of 2022.

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Delta Drones, a drone-based data systems provider, has reported a 64% revenue increase. New contracts are concentrated in the energy sector, and the company added service capabilities around LiDAR, security monitoring and advanced drone pilot training. Delta Drones entered new markets in Namibia, Zambia and Niger, and as part of its Australian entry it acquired Arvista Pty Ltd to further strengthen drone-based data service and technology solutions for enterprise clients.