Span makes the smart electrical panel — the thing in your basement or garage that controls all the electricity flowing through your home. The old electrical panel has not changed in 50 years. Span replaced it with a connected, software-controlled panel that lets homeowners manage solar, battery storage, EV charging, and every circuit in the house from their phone. It is the missing link between solar panels on your roof and actually using that energy intelligently.
Founded
2018
HQ
San Francisco, USA
Total Raised
$90 million
Founder
Arch Rao
Status
Private
Website
www.span.ioTHE ORIGIN STORY
Arch Rao was the head of product at Tesla Energy (the solar/Powerwall division) and saw that the electrical panel was the bottleneck in home electrification. Solar panels, batteries, and EV chargers were all getting smarter, but the dumb electrical panel in the middle could not manage them intelligently.
Rao founded Span in 2018 to build a smart electrical panel that replaces the traditional breaker box with a software-controlled system. The Span Panel monitors every circuit in real-time, manages solar and battery integration, and gives homeowners control via a mobile app.
WHAT THEY ACTUALLY DO
Hardware and software. Span sells the physical panel ($4,000-$6,000 installed) and earns recurring revenue from the software platform and premium features.
The company also works with solar installers and electricians as channel partners, earning referral revenue. The panel is installed during home solar/battery projects or electrical upgrades.
THE PRODUCTS
Span Smart Panel (replaces traditional breaker box). Span Drive (EV charger).
Span App (real-time monitoring and control). Solar and battery integration management.
Load management (prioritize circuits during outages). Energy usage analytics.
HOW THEY GREW
Riding the home electrification wave. As solar adoption grows, battery storage becomes common, and EV ownership increases, every home needs a smarter electrical panel.
Span grew by partnering with solar installers who bundle the panel with solar and battery installations. The company also benefits from utility incentive programs and building code changes that encourage electrification.
THE HARD PART
Electrical panel replacement is a big decision that most homeowners avoid. The $4,000-6,000 installed cost is significant, and convincing homeowners they need a new panel requires education.
Installation requires a licensed electrician, which limits the sales channel. Competition from traditional panel manufacturers (Eaton, Schneider Electric) adding smart features.
MONEY TRAIL
Seed
2019 · Led by Various
$10M raised
Series A
2021 · Led by Fifth Wall
$30M raised
Series B
2022 · Led by Wellington Management
$50M raised
WHO BACKED THEM
Backed by Fifth Wall (real estate tech VC), Wellington Management, and others. The company has raised approximately $90 million across seed and growth rounds.
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