The Solar Foundation
DW Planet A
Clean Energy States Alliance
The community solar industry is largely driven by the presence of two wealthy players: financiers and utilities. The majority-white, wealthy, and male financiers that are currently essential for the development of large-scale, community solar are often rewarded handsomely for their investments. Their control over the wealth in this field drives inequities in the market, as community solar policies are often designed with the expansion of financier profits prioritized and programs are designed to restrict access to low-to-moderate income populations who financiers perceive as “risky” to their bottom-line.
Solar Equity
With ample incentives for financiers and utilities to maintain the status quo, a conceptually accessible form of clean energy has largely excluded those that stand to benefit the most from its production.
Households eligible for programs like SNAP and Medicaid, and communities of color are largely incapable of entering the industry, as they lack the resources, infrastructure, and access within solar networks to participate in the development of their own projects. Furthermore, those in power have stoked a divide between unionists and environmentalists, as solutions to climate change are portrayed as a direct affront to the working class. The systems that perpetuate inequities across systems are unfortunately apparent within the world of community solar. Therefore, forming solutions to improving access to this industry requires actively working to restructure this power imbalance.
Income-qualifying and communities of color are more likely to lease solar panels than own.
Between 2014 – 2018, households in MA that owned solar arrays saw financial returns 300% higher than those that leased.
Black communities installed 69% less solar than white communities. Hispanic communities installed 30% less.
Read blogs written by our inspiring young Fellows during their paid, part-time experiences with us and staff working to research the energy system.
At Lighting the Path, you will have the opportunity to hear from AAPI leaders who will share their home island’s knowledge and experiences. Join us for Lighting the Path: AAPI Leaders Powering Up the Energy Justice Movement on May 24, 2024 from 2:30 – 3:30 PM to explore the rich history of islands around the world, and how it has led to a powerful movement for energy justice.
We stand alongside the Defend Atlanta Forest “Stop Cop City” movement. We find it antithetical to our goals for an equitable energy future that 61 Forest Defenders in the Defend Atlanta Forest, “Stop Cop City” movement were indicted in Georgia on racketeering charges. We are deeply disappointed by the mayor of Atlanta and the state of Georgia’s decision to silence dissent and support police impunity.
At Lighting the Path, you will have the opportunity to hear from AAPI leaders who will share their home island’s knowledge and experiences. Join us for Lighting the Path: AAPI Leaders Powering Up the Energy Justice Movement on May 24, 2024 from 2:30 – 3:30 PM to explore the rich history of islands around the world, and how it has led to a powerful movement for energy justice.
At Lighting the Path, you will have the opportunity to hear from AAPI leaders who will share their home island’s knowledge and experiences. Join us for Lighting the Path: AAPI Leaders Powering Up the Energy Justice Movement on May 24, 2024 from 2:30 – 3:30 PM to explore the rich history of islands around the world, and how it has led to a powerful movement for energy justice.
