The nature of the excited states of [Ru(bpy)(2)dppz](2+) has been investigated using density functional theory with the hybrid functional B3LYP. The excitations were studied via linear response theory (TDDFT) and Delta SCF calculations and the solvent effects were introduced by embedding the molecule in a continuum dielectric medium. It was found that the solvent effects are critical in understanding the nature of the excitations. For the molecule in ethanol, the lowest absorption predicted by TDDFT is a dark state (3)pi -> pi* with the electron and hole spread over the dppz ligand. Next come the excitations of (MLCT)-M-3 between the ruthenium and the dppz and finally the (MLCT)-M-3 excitations between the ruthenium and the bpy ligands not associated with the phenazine. Using Delta SCF calculations two low-lying excited states were identified and the geometry optimized in the presence of the continuum medium. At the optimal geometry the lowest excited state is (MLCT)-M-3 (Ru -> dppz). The (3)pi -> pi* state is found only 0.026 eV higher.