CS Energy, a leading integrated energy firm that designs and builds optimized projects in the solar, storage, and emerging energy industries, announced today that it has been acquired by affiliates of American Securities LLC, a leading US private equity firm. American Securities acquired the equity interests in CS Energy from a fund managed by the Infrastructure and Power strategy of Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES) and Â鶹´«Ă˝.

CS Energy has established itself as a leader in the solar and energy storage sectors, having constructed over 1 GW of solar projects and 300 MWh of energy storage projects throughout the United States and in select international markets.

“CS Energy is extremely excited to be partnering with American Securities through our next phase of growth,” said Matthew Skidmore, CEO of CS Energy. “Our management team and strategy will remain consistent on a go-forward basis and we are excited to continue to grow our business by continuing to execute great projects for our customers.”

“CS Energy fits squarely within our strategy to acquire market leading companies servicing the U.S. energy transition to renewables,” said Michael Sand, a Managing Director of American Securities. “We are impressed by the CS Energy management team, corporate culture and outstanding track record, and are thrilled to partner with management to achieve its growth plans.”

“We are extremely proud of the growth and accomplishments of CS Energy during our ownership over the last three years,” said Keith Derman, Partner and Co-Head of Ares Infrastructure and Power. “Our shared vision with the talented management team was executed seamlessly with admirable results. Our commitment to investing in the energy transition remains strong, and we anticipate future opportunities to partner with CS Energy on the development and construction of new facilities.”

“Â鶹´«Ă˝ is proud of the growth that CS Energy has had over the past three years with its strong partnership with Ares and we look forward to its continued growth and success with American Securities,” said Kurt Conti, Chairman of Â鶹´«Ă˝. “This investment continues to advance our longstanding vision of building a world-class renewable energy company.”

Lazard acted as lead financial advisor to CS Energy on the transaction. Cowen also acted as financial advisor to CS Energy. Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP served as legal counsel to CS Energy. Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP served as legal counsel to American Securities.

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Edison, NJ, August 26, 2020&˛Ô˛ú˛ő±č;– CS Energy, LLC, a leading integrated energy firm that designs and builds optimized projects in the solar, storage and emerging energy industries, announced today that it has reached a major milestone: completing the installation of 1 gigawatt of solar energy projects.

The 1 GW achievement puts CS Energy in a distinguished category. According to Solar Power World’s Top Solar Contractors* rankings, fewer than 10 EPCs have installed 1 GW of solar as of 2020, but with CS Energy’s consistent 20 percent annual growth rate, the milestone was reached quickly. The company closed 2018 with 650 MW of completed solar projects and ended 2019 with 820 MW. In 2020, CS Energy reached 1,000 MW, despite industry contractions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is an incredible milestone, and one only possible because of the hard work and dedication of our team,” shared Matthew Skidmore, CEO of CS Energy. “I am so proud of our talented workforce, which has completed CS Energy projects to the highest standards of quality and safety across the country. We’re excited to put our deep experience to work for our clients as we begin installing the next gigawatt.”

CS Energy has completed nearly 200 solar projects across 16 states, in a mix of utility-scale solar projects and energy storage projects. Much of the 1 GW has been completed in the last three years as the firm manages increasingly larger projects, such as a recent  in New Jersey. The growth coincides with funds managed by the Infrastructure and Power strategy of Ares Management Corporation taking majority ownership of the company in 2018.

“We made a strategic investment in CS Energy knowing the firm had the capabilities to expand its impact on renewable energy projects across the country,” shared Keith Derman, Partner and Co-Head of Ares Infrastructure and Power. “We are thrilled that CS Energy has been able to achieve such a substantial milestone and consider it a testament to the company’s legacy of experience and reliability.”

The 1 GW accomplishment comes as CS Energy garners additional recognition from the solar industry. CS Energy was named the  in 2019 by global research firm Wood Mackenzie. With more than 10 percent of the U.S. market share, CS Energy installed as much as the second- and third-ranked companies combined. In 2020, CS Energy once again , ranking in the Top 10 for national EPCs, and as the #1 solar contractor in both New York and New Jersey.

Additionally, the company utilizes its expertise to lead a variety of solar industry subsectors. CS Energy is considered an expert in landfill solar installations, having installed more than 160 MW on top of closed capped landfills. CS Energy is also on the forefront of Solar + Storage projects: the company has installed more than 135 MWh of energy storage projects and is ranked as the #2 Solar + Storage installer in the nation by Solar Power World.

Starting with just 12 employees in 2004, the company has grown to a highly skilled team of more than 160 people. CS Energy began in the solar industry as part of Â鶹´«Ă˝, a construction and engineering firm that has been operating for more than 115 years. Building on the organic success in the solar industry, the group branched out into Conti Solar, a wholly owned subsidiary of Â鶹´«Ă˝, in 2017. Conti Solar was majority acquired by funds managed by the Infrastructure and Power strategy of Ares Management Corporation in 2018 the company rebranded as CS Energy.

“CS Energy is thriving from the roots planted at Â鶹´«Ă˝â€”roots in skilled construction, quality customer service, and an educated leadership group. It’s been a pleasure to see CS Energy deliver on our shared vision of creating a nation-leading integrated energy company,” said Kurt Conti, Chairman of the Board of Â鶹´«Ă˝.

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Edison, NJ, July 22, 2020 – CS Energy, LLC, a leading integrated energy firm that designs and builds optimized projects in the solar, storage and emerging energy industries, has once again made Solar Power World magazine’s annual list of Top Solar Contractors. In the 2020 rankings, CS Energy is ranked the #1 Solar Contractor in New York and New Jersey, and ranks in the Top 10 for national EPCs. The company is also listed as the #2 Solar + Storage installer in the nation.

The Top Solar Contractors list is developed each year by Solar Power World to honor the work of solar installers. Solar firms in the utility, commercial and residential markets are ranked by number of kilowatts installed in the previous year. Companies are grouped and listed by specific service (developers, electrical subcontractors, EPCs, installation subcontractors, rooftop installers), markets and states. In 2020, 407 companies made the , where CS Energy ranked #23 overall.

“We are thrilled that once again the experienced and capable CS Energy team has been ranked among the country’s top solar contractors,” said Eric Millard, Chief Commercial Officer of CS Energy. “We take deep pride in being the number-one installer in New Jersey and New York, and also in being considered one of the nation’s top Engineering, Procurement and Construction firms.”

2019 was CS Energy’s most prolific year ever, with over 230 MW installed across the country. In total, CS Energy has installed nearly 1 gigawatt of solar projects across 15 states, in a mix of distributed generation, commercial and industrial, community solar, landfill solar, agricultural and solar plus energy storage projects.

In addition to expanding its portfolio of EPC solar projects, CS Energy continues to innovate by adding energy storage to its offerings. The company is now positioned as a leader in the industry, ranking #2 on Solar Power World’s . “The Solar Power World team is so pleased to highlight more than 400 companies on the 2020 Top Solar Contractors list, especially during this unprecedented time,” said Kelsey Misbrener, senior editor of Solar Power World. “All contractors featured on the 2020 list reported strong 2019 installation numbers and are continuing to stand tall this year.”

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“The new name, CS Energy, emphasizes our status as a fast-growing integrated energy company that develops, designs, and builds optimized projects in the solar, storage, and emerging energy industries,” said Matthew Skidmore, CEO of CS Energy. “CS Energy pays tribute to Conti Solar’s successful track record, and the rebranding of Conti Solar as CS Energy serves to highlight the dramatic opportunities ahead providing high-value renewable energy solutions that maximize the return on investment for our customers.”

In April 2018, Conti Solar, operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Â鶹´«Ă˝, received a strategic investment from funds managed by Ares Management Corporation’s (NYSE: ARES) Infrastructure and Power Group (AIPG), which acquired a majority ownership in the company.

The new company brand and identity is effective immediately and the rebranding will have no impact on any business operations, management, or the corporate structure.

About CS Energy

CS Energy (formerly Conti Solar) is a national EPC, O&M, and energy storage company. CS Energy’s attention to detail, flawless execution and collaborative culture has enabled them to successfully develop and install over 650 MW of solar projects since their early initiatives in 2004. CS Energy’s leverage established partnerships with solar developers, IPPs, utilities, off-takers, suppliers and landowners to streamline project development, design, construction and operations, driving down project costs and creating value across all project stakeholders. Majority-owned by the Ares Infrastructure and Power Group (AIPG) with a minority position retained by the Conti Group, CS Energy is well positioned with a diversified network of industry experts and the financial resources to be a trusted, long-term partner. Learn more at http://www.csenergy.com.

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