Two consumer-oriented nonprofit organizations serving the solar industry announced this week that they will merge. Energy Allies and Solar United Neighbors (SUN) will combine and continue outreach efforts under the SUN name.
“The sun shines everywhere, but not everyone can benefit from its rays yet,” said Anya Schoolman, SUN executive director. “Joining with Energy Allies will create a powerful force to help more families save money by taking control of where their energy comes from.”
Over the past five years, SUN has deployed rooftop solar for low- and moderate-income families, developing a model tailored to work in different communities across the country. It has staff on the ground in a dozen states, D.C. and Puerto Rico. SUN’s group bulk purchase model centers solar as a tool for prosperity. It focuses on ownership, regardless of income level.
Energy Allies works to identify barriers to community solar. It developed an approach that centers communities and ensures that climate-impacted communities make the decisions regarding deployment of community solar projects. Their work shows a community-led approach can succeed and provides the most benefits to communities.
“We can’t have a just transition if millions of families are left out from accessing clean, affordable energy,” said Yesenia Rivera, Energy Allies executive director. “These are exactly the people who need to be leading it. That’s why we help communities to develop solar projects.” Rivera will be joining SUN’s executive team as its VP of energy equity and inclusion. She brings with her deep community organizing experience in climate impacted communities as well as solar project development expertise.
The ways families can access clean energy depends on their homeownership status. More than half (53%) of low- and moderate-income households are renters. It is crucial that these families lead the transition to clean energy. Community solar is the only way for renters and those who don’t have a good roof for solar to access clean energy. SUN and Energy Allies will create a unique knowledge hub for connecting low- and moderate-income families to solar energy.
News item from SUN