Direct Energy Solar

Direct Energy Solar was established as a full-service residential and commercial solar provider headquartered in Columbia, Maryland. Originally founded as Astrum Solar in 2007 before rebranding to Direct Energy Solar after acquisition by Direct Energy (a subsidiary of Centrica plc), the company specialized in designing and installing rooftop photovoltaic systems for homes and businesses across six Mid-Atlantic states and New England. Over time, its focus shifted from residential to primarily commercial-scale projects.
In 2018–2019, Direct Energy consolidated its distributed energy resources under "Centrica Business Solutions," absorbing all commercial operations from Direct Energy Solar. The company’s expertise included turnkey project management—from initial consultation through engineering/design to installation—and integration with advanced energy storage solutions. This transition allowed clients access to broader distributed energy offerings such as battery storage systems, co-generation units (CHP), standby power generation, real-time monitoring/analytics platforms for operational efficiency improvements, resilience planning against grid outages, and demand response programs tailored for business customers.
The legacy of Direct Energy Solar is continued within Centrica’s portfolio; new updates are posted via Centrica channels rather than any dedicated “Direct Energy Solar” social media presence.