Nonprofit staff member updating organization profiles on a laptop at a sunlit desk, with rooftop solar panels and distant wind turbines visible through the window and colleagues collaborating in the blurred background.

How Editable Backlinks Can Amplify Your Clean Energy Nonprofit’s Reach

Claim your organization’s profiles on platforms like Wikipedia, Google Business, and industry directories where you can regularly update project descriptions, program milestones, and partnership announcements—these Hetneo-style editable backlinks give clean energy nonprofits lasting SEO value while maintaining narrative control as your mission evolves. Target renewable energy databases, sustainability directories, and local government resource pages that welcome community organizations to self-manage their listings, ensuring your backlinks accurately reflect current initiatives rather than outdated campaigns.

Prioritize guest contributor opportunities with environmental news sites and clean energy blogs that allow author bio updates and content revisions, transforming one-time backlinks into living connections you can refresh as your programs expand. When a solar installation project completes or a community wind initiative launches, you’ll update those same backlinks to showcase new impact data and testimonials, multiplying the value of each secured link placement.

Build relationships with university sustainability departments, renewable energy coalitions, and environmental justice networks that maintain resource pages—these partners typically grant editing access to featured organizations, creating backlinks you control indefinitely. One Midwest solar nonprofit increased organic traffic by 340% after systematically claiming editable listings across 47 clean energy directories and updating them quarterly with success stories, demonstrating how manageable backlink maintenance amplifies visibility for organizations operating on limited marketing budgets while keeping community achievements front and center.

What Editable Backlinks Mean for Your Mission

Diverse nonprofit team members collaborating on digital strategy around laptop
Nonprofit teams can manage their digital presence efficiently with strategic backlink approaches that support their mission.

Why Traditional Link Building Falls Short for Nonprofits

Traditional link building strategies often fall short for clean energy nonprofits because they’re designed for businesses with substantial marketing budgets and dedicated SEO teams. Most conventional approaches require ongoing payments to agencies, expensive outreach tools, or time-intensive guest posting campaigns that mission-driven organizations simply can’t sustain. When your team is stretched thin between community organizing, solar advocacy, and program delivery, pouring countless hours into link building feels impossible.

Moreover, traditional backlinks live on third-party websites where you have no control over content changes or link removal. When a partner organization rebrands or a publication archives old articles, your hard-won backlinks vanish overnight. For nonprofits whose programs and messaging evolve with community needs, this lack of control creates constant frustration. You need backlinks you can update as your initiatives grow, ensuring your link profile accurately reflects your current impact and mission priorities. Editable backlinks solve this challenge by putting control back in your hands, allowing your organization to maintain a strong digital presence without draining precious resources from your environmental justice work.

The Clean Energy Advantage

Clean energy nonprofits operate in one of the most dynamic advocacy landscapes today. Federal incentives shift with new administrations, state renewable energy standards evolve annually, and breakthrough technologies emerge that transform campaign messaging overnight. Traditional static backlinks become outdated anchors dragging down your digital presence when they point to superseded programs or expired partnerships.

Editable backlinks offer clean energy organizations a powerful solution to this challenge. When your nonprofit secures a backlink through a community calendar listing, partner directory, or resource database where you maintain editing access, you control the narrative as your work evolves. That link to your 2023 solar co-op campaign can seamlessly redirect to your 2024 community battery storage initiative without losing the SEO value you’ve built.

This flexibility proves essential when responding to policy windows. When the Inflation Reduction Act created new funding opportunities, organizations with editable backlinks quickly updated their linked content to reflect available incentives, capturing search traffic from community members seeking timely guidance. Similarly, as partnerships expand between environmental justice groups and clean energy advocates, editable directory listings allow real-time updates showcasing collaborative victories and broadening your coalition’s digital reach while maintaining hard-earned domain authority.

Where Your Organization Can Build Editable Backlinks

Community Impact Platforms

Community profiles on platforms like GuideStar, Charity Navigator, and GreatNonprofits serve a dual purpose for clean energy organizations: they build public trust while strengthening your digital presence. These platforms allow you to claim and edit your nonprofit’s profile, creating valuable backlinks you can refine as your mission evolves.

GuideStar profiles let you showcase program updates, impact metrics, and organizational milestones. When a community solar cooperative in Vermont updated their GuideStar profile with recent installation numbers and testimonials from participating households, they saw increased donor engagement and improved search visibility for local clean energy terms.

Charity Navigator reviews help establish credibility with potential supporters researching your organization. Maintaining accurate, current information here signals transparency and professionalism. GreatNonprofits invites community members to share their experiences, creating authentic social proof. A California energy justice nonprofit encouraged workshop participants to leave reviews, resulting in compelling stories about weatherization programs helping low-income families reduce utility costs.

These platforms require minimal technical expertise to update, making them ideal for small teams. Regularly refresh your profiles with success stories, program expansions, and partnership announcements. Each update reinforces your organization’s relevance while maintaining consistent backlinks that search engines value, helping more people discover your vital work in the clean energy transition.

Solar panel installation on community building rooftop with urban neighborhood below
Clean energy nonprofits connect communities with solar access and advocacy opportunities through strategic digital outreach.

Environmental and Energy Directories

Specialized environmental and energy directories offer clean energy nonprofits a powerful opportunity to connect with audiences already passionate about climate solutions and sustainability. These platforms serve as meeting points where community members, funders, and partner organizations actively seek out mission-aligned groups making real impact.

Directories like GreenPages, Environmental Directory, and the Clean Energy Resource Teams registry provide free or low-cost listing options specifically designed for nonprofits working on solar advocacy, renewable energy access, and environmental justice. Unlike general business directories, these platforms attract visitors genuinely interested in supporting clean energy transitions in their communities.

The beauty of these directories lies in their editability. As your solar installation programs expand or your community energy campaigns evolve, you can update your listings to reflect new initiatives, success stories, and partnership opportunities. This keeps your organization visible and relevant to potential collaborators and supporters actively searching for clean energy solutions.

When creating your directory profiles, showcase concrete achievements like the number of households you’ve helped transition to solar or communities you’ve empowered with energy literacy programs. These success stories resonate deeply with directory visitors and inspire them to engage with your mission, while simultaneously strengthening your organization’s search visibility and credibility.

Coalition and Partnership Pages

Building collaborative relationships with fellow environmental organizations creates powerful opportunities for mutual growth and shared visibility. When your clean energy nonprofit partners with complementary groups, coalition pages become living testaments to your collective impact. These dedicated partnership pages allow you to showcase joint initiatives, share resources, and maintain dynamic backlinks that evolve alongside your relationships.

Consider creating a coalition directory page on your website where partner organizations link back to each other. As new groups join your alliance or initiatives expand, you can easily update these connections without complicated technical work. This approach proved transformative for regional renewable energy coalitions that united multiple nonprofits under shared advocacy goals.

The beauty of editable coalition pages lies in their flexibility. When a partner launches a groundbreaking solar access program, you can immediately highlight it with an updated link. When your organizations co-author policy recommendations or host community forums together, these pages document your shared journey while strengthening search visibility for everyone involved. This interconnected web of support mirrors the collaborative spirit driving the clean energy transition itself.

Local and State Resources

Your clean energy nonprofit can amplify its local policy advocacy by claiming editable profiles in government and regional directories. Start with your state energy office’s clean energy directory, where most states list nonprofits working on renewable initiatives. These official listings carry significant authority and allow you to update your services, contact information, and current campaigns as they evolve.

Chamber of commerce directories offer valuable connections to community leaders and businesses interested in sustainability partnerships. Many chambers now maintain dedicated sustainability or green business sections where nonprofits can create detailed profiles highlighting workforce development programs, energy efficiency initiatives, and community solar projects.

Regional sustainability councils and metropolitan planning organizations also maintain directories that connect environmental organizations with policymakers and community stakeholders. These platforms often feature success stories, making them perfect spaces to showcase your recent wins in solar installation, weatherization assistance, or community engagement. By regularly updating these profiles with fresh achievements and evolving program details, you strengthen your organization’s visibility while building relationships that fuel collaborative climate action at the local level.

Building Your Editable Backlink Strategy

Audit Your Current Digital Footprint

Before you can build a stronger online presence, you need to understand where your clean energy nonprofit currently stands in the digital landscape. Start by conducting a comprehensive search of your organization’s name across Google and other search engines. Look beyond your official website to discover profiles on platforms like GuideStar, Charity Navigator, LinkedIn, Facebook, and industry directories you may have forgotten about.

Create a simple spreadsheet documenting every profile you find, noting the platform, URL, last update date, and whether the information is current. Pay special attention to outdated mission statements, old contact details, retired program names, or links to defunct web pages. These inconsistencies don’t just confuse potential supporters—they signal to search engines that your organization lacks credibility, potentially pushing you down in search rankings when community members seek clean energy solutions.

Check reviews and comments sections too. Sometimes well-meaning supporters leave outdated information that needs gentle correction. This audit isn’t about finding failures; it’s about discovering opportunities to tell your evolving story more powerfully. Many nonprofits uncover forgotten profiles on community platforms where updating your achievements could reconnect you with local partners and amplify your impact.

Craft Your Compelling Organizational Story

Your organization’s story is your most powerful tool for building connections and earning quality backlinks. When your narrative about solar equity work remains consistent yet adaptable across platforms, partners and supporters can easily share and reference your mission.

Start by identifying three core messages that define your impact: perhaps it’s the number of families you’ve helped access clean energy, a specific barrier you’re removing, or a community success that demonstrates your approach. These messages should be clear enough for a neighborhood blog to reference and compelling enough for a foundation website to feature.

Create a simple messaging guide that includes your mission statement, key statistics with dates you’ll update them, and two or three community stories that illustrate your work. Store this in a shared document your team can access whenever they’re submitting content to partner sites, directories, or collaborative platforms.

The beauty of editable backlinks is that as your programs grow and your impact expands, you can refresh the content on platforms you control while maintaining those valuable incoming links. When you help a hundredth household go solar or launch a new workforce development initiative, update your profiles to reflect this progress. This approach ensures your digital presence grows alongside your real-world impact, creating an authentic narrative that naturally attracts attention and support.

Create an Update Schedule

Your backlinks are living assets that should evolve alongside your organization’s journey. Creating a consistent update schedule ensures these valuable connections continue telling your most current and compelling story.

Start by auditing your existing editable backlinks quarterly. Mark your calendar now—perhaps aligning reviews with the seasons or major organizational milestones. During each review, identify recent victories worth celebrating: Did your community solar project reach 500 households? Has your workforce development program graduated its first cohort? These achievements deserve prominent placement in your contributor profiles, coalition directories, and guest blog author bios.

Set monthly reminders to update backlinks when launching new campaigns or forming partnerships. When you join a climate coalition or receive foundation support, immediately update relevant directory listings and partnership pages. This real-time approach keeps your network informed and engaged.

Build this responsibility into someone’s role—whether a communications coordinator or volunteer digital advocate. Provide them with a simple spreadsheet tracking each editable backlink location, login credentials, and last update date. This accountability transforms backlink maintenance from an afterthought into strategic communications practice.

Remember, every update is an opportunity to inspire. When refreshing a profile on a renewable energy directory, don’t just add facts—share how your work is creating clean energy jobs and healthier communities. These updates compound over time, building a digital presence that reflects your growing impact and invites deeper collaboration.

Real Impact: How Editable Backlinks Support Clean Energy Advocacy

Strategic backlink management isn’t just theory. Clean energy nonprofits across the country are already using editable backlinks to amplify their message and create measurable change in their communities.

Take the Solar Access Coalition in Portland, which leveraged partnerships with local library systems and community colleges to place editable backlinks on their resource pages. When the organization launched a new low-income solar program, they updated those existing links to highlight eligibility requirements and application deadlines. Within three months, program applications increased by 73%, with applicants specifically citing the library website as their discovery source. The ability to update those links meant the Coalition could respond immediately to policy changes without waiting for partner organizations to manually refresh their pages.

In Detroit, the Clean Energy Futures Network faced a common challenge: their advocacy priorities shifted as new legislation moved through the state capitol. They had built backlinks through guest articles on environmental blogs and community news sites, but outdated information was sending visitors to pages about expired campaigns. After implementing editable backlinks through shared Google Docs and regularly updated coalition directories, their click-through rates improved by 54%. More importantly, their petition signatures doubled because people were consistently directed to current calls to action rather than dead campaigns.

The Appalachian Renewable Energy Initiative demonstrates how editable backlinks support rural outreach. Working with faith communities and local businesses, they created a network of partner websites linking to seasonal solar workshops. As workshop dates and locations changed throughout the year, the organization updated links from a central dashboard rather than contacting dozens of webmasters individually. This efficiency freed staff time for community engagement, and workshop attendance grew from an average of 12 participants to over 40 per session.

These organizations share a common insight: editable backlinks transform static web presence into dynamic community conversations. When your partners can trust that your links always lead to relevant, current information, they’re more willing to feature your content prominently. This trust builds momentum, turning isolated advocacy efforts into coordinated movements that reach policymakers, engage underserved communities, and accelerate the transition to clean energy when it matters most.

Person viewing clean energy nonprofit website on smartphone with solar panels in background
Maintaining an up-to-date digital presence helps clean energy organizations connect supporters with their evolving programs and advocacy work.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Even the most passionate clean energy organizations can stumble when managing their digital presence. Understanding these common missteps helps us build stronger connections and amplify our collective impact.

One frequent challenge is creating profiles on directory sites or community platforms and then letting them languish. When contact information becomes outdated or program descriptions no longer reflect current initiatives, these abandoned profiles actually undermine credibility rather than strengthen it. The solution lies in creating a simple quarterly review calendar. Assign team members specific platforms to audit, ensuring your solar installation program details, community workshop schedules, and contact information stay current. This maintenance takes perhaps thirty minutes per platform but preserves the trust your community places in your organization.

Another pitfall involves inconsistent information across multiple platforms. When your nonprofit’s mission statement reads differently on your LinkedIn company page versus your local chamber of commerce profile, it creates confusion for potential partners and funders. Develop a master document containing approved language for your organization’s description, impact statistics, and program offerings. Share this resource with everyone who manages your online presence, creating consistency that reinforces your brand and message.

Many nonprofits also miss opportunities by failing to leverage their network. Your partner organizations, board members, and community allies often maintain profiles where they can showcase collaborative projects. A community solar initiative, for instance, becomes more visible when all participating organizations link to the shared resource hub. Reach out to your coalition partners and suggest mutual linking arrangements that benefit everyone.

Finally, organizations sometimes pursue quantity over quality, seeking backlinks from irrelevant sources. A backlink from a credible environmental justice organization or local sustainability initiative carries far more weight than dozens of generic directory listings. Focus your energy on platforms where your target audience actually searches for clean energy solutions, and where your mission authentically aligns with the community served.

Your backlinks are more than technical SEO tools—they’re living connections that weave your organization into the fabric of communities working toward an equitable clean energy future. Every directory listing, every partnership page, every resource guide represents a digital bridge between your mission and the people who need to find you. When these connections remain editable, you empower your team to ensure they accurately reflect your evolving programs, updated contact information, and current impact stories.

The clean energy transition is happening now, in communities like yours. Your digital presence should move at the same pace as your groundbreaking work. Take action today: audit your existing backlinks, identify which platforms allow updates, and commit to quarterly reviews. Prioritize partnerships with organizations that share your values and offer collaborative link-building opportunities. When a local solar cooperative successfully powers its first hundred homes, or when your youth training program graduates new clean energy technicians, update those backlinks to tell that story.

Your commitment to keeping these connections current demonstrates the same dedication you bring to environmental justice—meeting people where they are, adapting strategies based on community needs, and building lasting change together.

Elevated wide shot of a cannabis greenhouse complex with rooftop solar panels and an adjacent solar array, lush green cannabis plants in the foreground, under warm golden hour light against rolling hills.

Solar Energy Could Transform Cannabis Production Into a Climate Solution

The cannabis industry stands at a crossroads where environmental responsibility meets unprecedented growth opportunity. As Delta 9 THC production expands across North America, cultivators are consuming staggering amounts of electricity—enough to power entire neighborhoods—while communities worldwide are demanding cleaner, more sustainable manufacturing practices. Solar-powered production isn’t just an environmental ideal; it’s becoming an economic imperative that’s reshaping how we grow, process, and distribute cannabis products.

Traditional indoor cannabis cultivation requires intense lighting, climate control, and ventilation systems that generate massive carbon footprints. A single indoor grow facility can use as much electricity as 29 average homes annually. Yet pioneering cultivators are proving that solar energy can meet these demanding power needs while reducing operational costs by 40-70% over time. From California’s sun-drenched valleys to Colorado’s high-altitude operations, solar-powered cannabis facilities are demonstrating that sustainability and profitability aren’t opposing forces—they’re complementary pathways to industry leadership.

This transformation carries profound implications beyond individual businesses. Communities historically marginalized by cannabis prohibition now have opportunities to participate in an industry built on clean energy principles rather than extractive practices. Solar-powered production creates local jobs in renewable installation and maintenance while keeping energy dollars circulating within communities rather than flowing to utility corporations.

The convergence of falling solar costs, rising electricity rates, and consumer demand for ethical products has created a perfect moment for change. The question isn’t whether cannabis production will transition to renewable energy—it’s whether your community will lead this transformation or follow from behind.

Understanding Delta-9 THC: The Science Behind Cannabis’s Primary Compound

Why Delta-9 Production Methods Matter for Our Climate

The cannabis industry stands at a crossroads. As Delta-9 THC production expands across the nation, we’re witnessing an environmental cost that demands our attention. Traditional indoor cultivation facilities consume staggering amounts of electricity—equivalent to powering entire neighborhoods—primarily for artificial lighting, climate control, and dehumidification systems. Studies show that indoor cannabis operations can use up to 2,000 kilowatt-hours of energy per pound of product, generating significant carbon emissions and straining local power grids.

This energy intensity isn’t just about numbers on a utility bill. It represents a choice about our collective future. Every grow operation powered by fossil fuels contributes to climate change, affecting the same communities many cannabis businesses aim to serve. Low-income neighborhoods and communities of color already bear disproportionate impacts from air pollution and energy infrastructure decisions.

But here’s the inspiring truth: we have proven alternatives. Across the country, pioneering cultivators are demonstrating that Delta-9 production doesn’t have to harm our planet. By embracing solar power and renewable energy solutions, these trailblazers are proving that environmental responsibility and quality production go hand-in-hand. Their success stories show us that sustainable cannabis cultivation isn’t just possible—it’s practical, profitable, and essential for protecting the communities we call home. The question isn’t whether we can transform this industry’s environmental impact, but whether we’ll seize this moment to lead the way.

The Hidden Energy Crisis in Cannabis Cultivation

Aerial view of cannabis greenhouse facility with extensive rooftop solar panel installation
Modern cannabis cultivation facilities are increasingly integrating solar arrays to reduce their substantial energy footprint and operating costs.

How Indoor Growing Became the Industry Standard

For decades, cannabis cultivation moved indoors out of necessity, not choice. When prohibition forced growers into the shadows, they discovered that controlled indoor environments offered a silver lining—consistent, high-quality yields regardless of season or climate. This wasn’t just about hiding; it was about survival and meeting exacting standards that outdoor growing couldn’t guarantee under legal uncertainty.

As legalization swept across states, indoor cultivation became the industry standard for compelling reasons. Regulatory frameworks demanded rigorous quality control, including precise cannabinoid profiles and freedom from contaminants. Indoor facilities could deliver this consistency, protecting public health while building consumer trust in newly legal markets. Climate control eliminated mold risks, pest management became more manageable without pesticides, and year-round production stabilized supply chains.

However, this path to legitimacy came with an environmental cost few anticipated. Those same controlled environments require enormous energy inputs—powerful grow lights mimicking sunlight, industrial HVAC systems maintaining perfect temperatures, and dehumidifiers running continuously. Today’s indoor cannabis facilities consume electricity comparable to data centers, creating a carbon footprint that contradicts the plant-based, earth-conscious values many in the community hold dear.

The good news? We’re now at a pivotal moment where we can honor the quality standards that indoor growing established while reimagining how we power these operations. Communities across the country are proving that sustainable cultivation isn’t just possible—it’s the future.

The Real Cost to Communities and the Climate

The energy choices made by cannabis producers ripple far beyond their facility walls, touching the lives of neighbors, straining local infrastructure, and intensifying the climate crisis we all share. In communities across the country, particularly those still reliant on coal and natural gas for electricity, conventional Delta-9 THC production facilities contribute to a cascade of challenges that disproportionately affect those least equipped to bear them.

When cultivation operations draw heavily from fossil fuel-dependent grids, they accelerate the degradation of air quality in surrounding neighborhoods. The additional carbon emissions don’t just contribute to abstract global warming statistics—they translate to higher asthma rates in nearby schools, increased cooling costs for fixed-income families during heat waves, and intensified storm damage in vulnerable communities. In states like West Virginia and Wyoming, where coal still dominates the energy mix, each kilowatt-hour consumed by indoor cannabis operations carries a heavier environmental burden that local residents breathe every day.

The strain on utility infrastructure tells another story of inequity. As energy-intensive cannabis facilities connect to aging grids, utilities often pass upgrade costs onto all ratepayers through increased fees. Low-income households, already spending a disproportionate share of their income on energy bills, shoulder this burden without benefiting from the economic opportunities these facilities create. Rural and indigenous communities frequently experience the most severe impacts, facing both environmental degradation and economic displacement.

Yet this reality isn’t inevitable. Communities from Oakland to Denver have demonstrated that when cannabis producers embrace solar power, they become partners in building local resilience rather than contributors to community stress. These success stories prove that clean energy isn’t just an environmental necessity—it’s a pathway to justice and shared prosperity.

Solar-Powered Cannabis: A Growing Movement Toward Sustainability

How Solar Technology Meets Cannabis Production Needs

Cannabis cultivation has traditionally demanded enormous amounts of electricity—for lighting, climate control, ventilation, and security systems that run around the clock. But solar technology has evolved to meet these intensive needs in remarkably practical ways, and facilities across the country are proving it works.

Modern solar arrays can generate substantial power even in varied climates, with photovoltaic panels converting sunlight into electricity that directly powers grow lights and environmental controls. The real breakthrough comes from pairing solar panels with advanced battery storage systems. These batteries store excess energy produced during peak sunlight hours, ensuring cultivation facilities maintain consistent power throughout the night and during cloudy periods—critical for cannabis plants that require precise lighting schedules.

Smart energy management systems tie everything together, acting as the facility’s brain. These systems monitor energy production and consumption in real-time, automatically drawing from solar power when available, tapping battery reserves when needed, and even connecting to the grid as a backup. This intelligent orchestration means growers never compromise plant health while maximizing clean energy use.

In California’s Central Valley, a mid-sized cultivation facility reduced its grid dependence by 75% after installing a solar-plus-storage system. The operation now powers its entire vegetative growth phase with stored solar energy, demonstrating that holistic energy solutions can meet cannabis production’s demanding requirements.

The technology isn’t experimental—it’s proven, scalable, and increasingly affordable. As equipment costs decline and efficiency improves, solar-powered cultivation becomes accessible to operations of all sizes, from boutique growers to large-scale producers. The question isn’t whether solar can power cannabis production, but rather how quickly we can make this transition standard practice.

Close-up of cannabis plant showing healthy growth with solar panels visible in background
Cannabis plants thrive under carefully controlled growing conditions that can now be sustainably powered by renewable solar energy.

Pioneering Growers Leading the Clean Energy Transition

Across the country, forward-thinking cannabis cultivators are proving that sustainable Delta-9 THC production isn’t just possible—it’s profitable and transformative for entire communities.

Take Sunbelt Cannabis Collective in New Mexico, a cooperative of twelve family-owned farms that converted to 100% solar power in 2022. Within eighteen months, they reduced their collective energy costs by 68% while creating twenty-three new jobs in solar installation and maintenance. Their success extends beyond their greenhouses: excess power generation now supports a community center offering free environmental education workshops to over 500 residents annually. “We’re not just growing medicine,” explains co-founder Maria Santos. “We’re growing a cleaner future for our children.”

In Oregon, Green Horizon Farms transformed a struggling 40-acre operation into a thriving solar-powered model that processes 15,000 pounds of biomass monthly. Their rooftop and ground-mounted arrays generate 850 kilowatts—enough to power cultivation, extraction, and packaging while returning surplus energy to the grid. Most remarkably, they’ve shared their blueprint freely with seventeen other growers, catalyzing a regional movement. Their transparent approach has created a ripple effect: local energy costs have decreased, and three previously closed manufacturing facilities have reopened as solar-powered cannabis operations, bringing 140 jobs back to rural communities.

Michigan’s Sovereign Roots Cooperative, a tribal-owned enterprise, demonstrates how solar integration advances both environmental and economic sovereignty. Their 1.2-megawatt solar array powers full-spectrum LED cultivation systems, reducing grid dependence by 92%. The operation has generated $2.3 million in energy savings over three years, funds redirected toward healthcare services and educational scholarships for tribal members.

These pioneers share a common thread: they recognized that sustainability isn’t a burden—it’s an opportunity. Their measurable outcomes prove that clean energy transitions strengthen communities, create meaningful employment, and establish cannabis cultivation as a force for environmental restoration rather than degradation.

The Economic Case for Solar Cannabis Production

Workers installing solar panels on cannabis facility rooftop
The transition to solar-powered cannabis production creates green jobs and economic opportunities in local communities.

Breaking Down the Investment and Payback Period

The transition to solar-powered cannabis production requires an honest conversation about investment. While upfront costs for commercial solar installations typically range from $100,000 to $500,000 depending on facility size, the story doesn’t end there—it begins.

Consider the example of Green Horizons Cultivation in Colorado, which faced a $250,000 initial investment for their solar array. Within eighteen months, their energy bills dropped by 70%, creating immediate operational breathing room. The federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) covered 30% of their installation costs, while state-level incentives added another $40,000 in savings. Their payback period? Just under six years, with a system designed to operate efficiently for twenty-five years or more.

Today’s financing landscape makes this transition accessible to operations of all sizes. Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) allow facilities to adopt solar with zero upfront costs, paying only for the clean energy generated—often at rates lower than traditional utilities. Community solar programs and green financing cooperatives are opening doors for smaller producers who thought solar was beyond reach.

The numbers tell a compelling story: after the payback period, facilities enjoy decades of virtually free energy, insulating themselves from volatile utility rates while demonstrating environmental leadership. When we invest in solar today, we’re not just reducing costs—we’re building resilient, community-centered businesses that prove sustainability and profitability grow hand in hand.

Policy Pathways: Creating Incentives for Clean Cannabis

What Communities and Advocates Can Do Now

The cannabis industry’s environmental impact is no longer someone else’s problem—it’s a shared opportunity for communities to lead on climate action. Whether you’re a policymaker, community leader, or advocate, you have the power to shape a cleaner, more equitable future for cannabis production right now.

Start by demanding that solar requirements become standard in cannabis licensing. Cities and counties can update their ordinances to prioritize applications that demonstrate renewable energy commitments. Massachusetts has already shown this works, with several municipalities requiring energy efficiency plans before issuing permits. Push your local planning boards to follow this example, incorporating solar readiness into zoning and conditional use permits for cultivation facilities.

Build coalitions that connect cannabis industry stakeholders with clean energy advocates. These partnerships amplify impact—when solar installers, cannabis operators, and environmental justice groups work together, they create compelling cases for policy change. Support solar advocacy efforts that protect renewable energy access for all industries, not just cannabis.

Advocate for renewable energy legislation that includes cannabis-specific incentives. Contact state representatives about tax credits, expedited permitting, and technical assistance programs for solar-powered cultivation. Highlight the economic benefits—job creation, reduced operating costs, and energy grid stability.

Community leaders can facilitate knowledge-sharing sessions where solar-powered operators share their success stories with prospective license holders. Create toolkits with financial modeling, installer recommendations, and policy templates that make adoption easier.

Most importantly, center environmental justice in every conversation. Ensure that solar transitions benefit communities most impacted by both cannabis prohibition and energy pollution. This isn’t just about greener cannabis—it’s about building power, creating opportunities, and protecting our shared climate future, one facility at a time.

Building an Equitable Solar-Powered Cannabis Future

The transition to solar-powered cannabis production presents a transformative opportunity to right historical wrongs while building a more sustainable future. For too long, communities of color and low-income neighborhoods have borne the dual burden of mass incarceration from cannabis prohibition and disproportionate exposure to environmental hazards from fossil fuel pollution. As we reimagine cannabis cultivation powered by clean energy, we must ensure these same communities stand at the center of this economic and environmental revolution.

True equity in solar cannabis means more than simply replacing one energy source with another. It requires intentional policies and programs that provide marginalized entrepreneurs with access to capital, training, and solar technology. Several pioneering initiatives are already showing the way forward. In Oakland, California, the Equity Permit Program combines cannabis business licensing for those impacted by the war on drugs with technical assistance for implementing renewable energy systems. Participants receive support navigating both cannabis regulations and solar installation, transforming barriers into bridges toward economic opportunity.

Similarly, community solar projects are emerging as powerful tools for democratizing clean energy access. These shared solar arrays allow multiple cannabis cultivators—especially smaller operators without suitable rooftops or capital for individual installations—to benefit from solar power through subscription models. This approach mirrors successful low-wealth solar policy frameworks that prioritize affordability and accessibility over market-rate returns.

The path forward demands collaboration between policymakers, cannabis industry leaders, solar providers, and community organizations. Licensing structures should prioritize social equity applicants and reward sustainable practices with expedited permitting or reduced fees. Financial institutions must develop innovative lending products that recognize the unique position of equity cannabis entrepreneurs. Workforce development programs can train community members for careers in both solar installation and cannabis cultivation, creating lasting employment opportunities.

When we center equity in the solar cannabis transition, we don’t just reduce carbon emissions—we build wealth in communities that have been systematically excluded, heal environmental injustices, and demonstrate that climate solutions and social justice are inseparable. This is our moment to ensure that the green future we’re creating is truly green for everyone.

Cannabis farmer standing in front of small greenhouse facility with solar panel array
Small and mid-sized cannabis operations are proving that solar power is accessible and economically viable for businesses of all scales.

The convergence of solar energy and Delta-9 THC production represents more than an innovative business practice—it’s a powerful statement about the future we choose to build together. As communities across the nation witness the tangible benefits of cannabis operations powered by clean, renewable energy, we’re seeing living proof that environmental responsibility and economic opportunity can flourish side by side. From California greenhouses that have slashed their carbon footprints by 70% to Colorado facilities creating skilled green jobs in formerly underserved neighborhoods, these success stories illuminate a pathway forward that honors both our planet and our people.

The transformation won’t happen without your voice and action. We need champions at every level—from consumers demanding transparency about how their products are made, to policymakers crafting incentives that prioritize solar adoption in cannabis licensing, to community leaders ensuring these opportunities reach those most impacted by both environmental degradation and past cannabis prohibition. Every choice to support sustainably produced Delta-9 THC sends a market signal that reverberates through the industry. Every call to your representative requesting renewable energy requirements for cannabis cultivation shapes the regulatory landscape. Every conversation you have about clean energy possibilities plants seeds of change.

Join the coalitions already doing this vital work. Connect with local environmental justice groups, renewable energy advocacy networks, and cannabis reform organizations committed to sustainability. Together, we’re not just greening an industry—we’re demonstrating that the clean energy transition can be equitable, profitable, and community-driven. The power to create this future is quite literally in your hands.

Renewable Energy Legislation to Revive PA Economy

A coalition of organizations has rendered their support for the new renewable energy bill that was introduced by Senator Art Haywood and Senator Daniel Laughlin. The legislation will help to harness the power of renewable energies like solar, which will put Pennsylvania back on the road to economic recovery.

The senator’s bill will amend the 2004 Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (AEPS) Act to increase PA’s renewable energy goal from 8% to 18% by 2026. 5.5% (from the current 0.5% goal) of renewable energy is set to come from solar energy.

Introducing The Legislation

When introducing the legislation, Senator Laughlin said that it would help expand renewable energy given that the economy is in a crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He went on to say that the efforts will diversify the energy mix, attract private investments worth millions of dollars, create tens of thousands of jobs, and grow tax revenue for communities.

He also said that this might offer a solution that can save farms in PA without necessarily using state revenues. Similarly, Senator Haywood said that renewable energy grows jobs, saves farmers, and can do a lot to save the planet. He added that the proposal might be one of the largest job stimulus and economic development bills in decades.

Renewable energy is one of the fastest-growing industries in the nation. When compared to the statewide job growth rate of 1.9%, jobs in the renewable energy industry grow at a rate of 8.7%.

Nearly 5,200 jobs have been created in this industry since the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard Act was passed in 2004. PA renewable energy projects have created jobs for engineers, technicians, construction workers, manufacturers, salespeople, and more.

Finding Pennsylvania Solar Future Project estimates that more than 100,000 jobs will be created by 2030 should the portion of solar in the state’s electricity mix increase from the current 0.5% to 10%. Consequently, this will benefit the economy with a net of $1.6 billion annually.

Here is what some of the coalition members had to say:

Sharon Pillar, who is PA Solar Center’s Executive Director, said that there is a high expectation for the bill to put back PA on the road to recovery after the hard times experienced in 2020. She also thanked the two senators for introducing the bill and providing inspiring leadership on renewable energy.

Kim Anderson, Evangelical Environmental Network’s field organizer, said that he is excited about the bill. Anderson said that the bill moves in the right direction when it comes to embracing cleaner energy and air to protect the health of both born and unborn children.

Executive Director of PennEnvironment, David Masur, said that promoting renewable energy gives a triple win for PA. He said that it is good for the health, pocketbooks, and the planet. David further said that it was about time PA became a regional leader when it comes to tapping into the renewable energy economy.

Pennsylvania Program Director at Solar United Neighbors, Henry McKay, said that Pennsylvanians in both urban and rural communities in the entire Commonwealth prefer to go solar. He said that they want to decrease their electric bills and be in charge of how their energy is generated.

Henry said that increasing the value of solar renewable energy credits will contribute to a stronger AEPS that will enable more businesses, homeowners, and places of worship to afford solar installation.

Public Participation on Low-Wealth Solar Policy Roundup

Policymakers and local communities across the U.S. are redesigning the solar policy to incorporate low-wealth families as major stakeholders to help them benefit from local clean energy.

Each month, Emphasis Power initiates a Low-Income Policy Call, which is led by our Access & Equity team. During the call, we bring together policymakers from across the country to celebrate our wins, talk about best practices and advanced learning, and brainstorm ways to join forces to improve on the design of the low-income solar program.

We believe that by hosting this call, we will be able to address some of the greatest issues that lower-income communities face. We use it to share information on the best practices that are working and those that are not so as to ensure that affordable solar is easily accessible to everyone.

Congress Directs FERC to Form Office of Public Participation

The policy must not just be informed by regulatory and legislative action alone. Instead, the public must be encouraged to offer their input; otherwise, there will be knowledge gaps and goals will be misaligned.

Many people in the community wonder how they can participate in the decision-making process. Unfortunately, they are faced with various barriers. This has prompted the federal government and states to brainstorm effective ways to increase public participation.

Congress has asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Office to establish an Office of Public Participation. FERC, which was formed in 1977, is an independent regulatory agency that is tasked with regulating the interstate transmission of electricity, oil, and natural gas.

FERC announced that there will be a workshop and a series of listening sessions to allow interested persons to offer input on the establishment of the Office of Public Participation (OPP).

The OPP, which will be within FERC, will offer assistance to interested parties of the public that want to participate in Commission proceedings. This will be done per the authorities that the Commission exercises.

DIY solar water pump next to a pond

DIY Solar Water Pump: How It Works and Things to Consider

DIY solar water pump has become one of the most effective and pocket-friendly approaches for fulfilling the water needs in any garden. Getting such an uninterruptible water supply can help you irrigate crops, provide fountains, ponds, or swimming pools with fresh water, or even supply water to off-grid houses.

The low cost of setting up a DIY Solar water pump makes it an excellent one-time investment. You can even convert an electric fountain pump to a solar fountain. But how does it work, and what factors should you consider during the project?

Keep reading to find out!

What Is a DIY Solar Water Pump?

A DIY Solar water pump simply means setting up a solar-powered pumping system all by yourself (Do-It-Yourself).

A solar water pump runs on DC (Direct Current), which is different from normal electric pumps because they use AC (Alternating Current). Once the solar panels produce DC, it delivers to the controller and the pump.

In no time, water begins to pump out from the source. However, you’ll need a few components, tools, and materials to succeed with the project.

How Does Solar Water Pumping Work?

A DIY solar water pump comprises solar panels, a DC water pump, and a controller. They come in a separate system with a simple build. When appropriately wired and set up, the solar array generates DC electricity to the pump, bringing forth water in return.

Essentially, The solar panels collect photons from sunlight. Then the solar water pump converts the photons (sun’s rays) to the DC (direct current) that powers the motor to pump water from its source.

If the motor requires alternating current (AC) to operate, then there’s a need for an inverter. Since the system depends on sunlight energy for full operations, you may also need a backup battery. It will always come in handy at night or during cloudy days.

Knowing what a DIY solar pump is and how it works, it’s time to start the project. Don’t worry; the rest of this content will guide you through the processes.

Tips for Setting Up a DIY Solar Water Pump

DIY solar water pump is cost-effective. However, it can cost you a handsome of money when you pick poor-quality materials for the projects.

Here are some tips to remember to get the best out of this project.

Know the Materials You Need

When building a solar water pump system, you’ll need a DC water pump, solar panels, solar charge controller, or solar pump controller. Also, you’ll need a backup battery for support during cloudy days.

Choosing the materials depends on your water needs. For instance, if you need to supply your house or a deep well with water, you can use a submersible DC water pump with 270W power. The panels for the pump can be around 500W and will work perfectly. You may not need a backup battery, but it’s worth having.

For pond circulation or swimming pool, two solar panels with up to 350W will power a surface DC pump with a 500W pump power. A submersible 1500W pump for agricultural irrigation will work fine with five solar panels that can produce 400W each.

If you need water for an RV or boat circulation pump, an in-line 70W water pump with 10A or 12V pump controllers will work perfectly with a 100W solar panel. Here, you’ll need a 12V, 10Ah backup battery.

Choose a DC Water Pump

DC water pumps are the best solar water pumps. Apart from the advantages of AC pumps, solar water pumps with DC (direct current) don’t need any inverter. Also, they’re highly efficient, enabling them to pump more water than AC pumps.

Furthermore, DC pumps are very compatible with photovoltaic panels because the panels produce the DC electricity the pumps need. This ensures a highly efficient water pumping system as the water will pump directly without the need for converters.

Pick an Appropriate Pump Controller

The pump controller optimizes the electricity supply from the solar panel array to the solar water pump. It helps the pump to get the appropriate DC voltage and the highest current for utmost efficiency. Also, it controls and prevents power fluctuation in the solar pumping system.

Some controllers have a water sensor for automatic commands (Start/Stop). Some have Wi-Fi connections to help users monitor water progress, solar energy, etc., from different ranges.

When selecting the best pump controller for the solar pumping project, consider the MPPT solar pump controller. Its ability to harvest solar energy and connect to a backup battery in low sunlight makes it the best and most efficient solar pump controller.

Know the Power And Voltage of Your Electrical Materials

Knowing the volt and power of your solar panels, water pump, controller, and battery helps you to determine the most compatible materials for the project. For instance, if your solar water pump is 70W with a max current of 5.8A but works well at 12V, consider a 12V solar controller with a 10A max load.

Most times, several DC pumps come with pump-dedicated controllers. If your DC solar pump has a follow-come controller, you don’t have to get a new one. However, if the need arises, check the power and voltage for your pump, battery, and panels to help you find the perfect match.

Know the Right Number of PV Panels You Need

Making estimates in solar-based projects is not a good practice. Whether it’s about voltage, power, brand, or the number of panels, don’t estimate; instead, make comprehensive calculations.

For your solar pump project, you must understand your water needs, your location’s solar irradiation, and the operation span of the system. This is the best way to know the right number of panels you need.

If you want more water, your pump will operate longer. Thus you need more solar panels with more power.

Assuming you want to run a circulation pump for your pool. Let’s say 12 hours makes the day, and the pool’s capacity is 100m3 (26,500gal), equivalent to 8.3m3/hour (2,200gal/hour).

The maximum flow rate of a 500W solar pump is 18m3/hr (4,500gal/hr). Thus, it’ll take about 6 hours to pump water across the swimming pool.

The job will use up to 3kWh (6 hours x 500W) of electricity. With this calculation, you can now know the number of panels producing up to 3 kWh daily.

To make it easier, you can check the voltage output of your solar panels.

Have a Backup Battery

Adding a backup battery to your solar water pumping system depends on how you use the system. Circulation pumps or irrigation won’t need an additional battery. However, if you’re dealing with a storage tank, a boat, or an RV, you’ll need a battery to support your pump in cloudy conditions.

Once your solar array converts sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity, it’s automatically stored in the backup battery for future use.

Lithium batteries are highly recommendable as they’re more durable and efficient than lead-acid batteries. With a 12V, 10Ah lithium backup battery, you can initiate a water flow at any convenient time.

Use a Precise Angle When Hanging the Panels

Wrong panel angles can affect the performance of your DIY solar water. Whether it’s an off-grid house or an open field, you must hang the solar panels in a way there would be direct sunlight on them.

Find an angle between 30o and 45o degrees to ensure your solar pump gets the maximum efficiency from the solar pump system.

These are the tips for setting up a solar pump system for water supply.

Setting Up a Diy Solar Water Pump: Step-by-step Guide

Knowing the tips above, let’s set up a solar-powered water pumping station. Find the step-by-step guide below.

Gather Materials

Get the appropriate number of solar panels you need for the project. Get the best DC water pump that will work in various use cases (submersible, ground surface, or in-line).

If you have an AC pump, you’ll need an inverter to convert the current to an alternating electric current (AC). Bring pipes that will move the water from its source to your preferred destination (storage tank, purification system, farm for irrigation, etc.).

Most importantly, get a pump controller. It will regulate the power on and off of the water pump, increasing the life span of the pump. The controller will also protect the pump from electricity fluctuations and motor damage due to dry water sources.

Pick a Site for the Array and Pump

Explore your environment to find the best site for your water pump. Consider the water source in the area and its characteristics in terms of availability and quality. This will help you pick the perfect site for your project.

In the course, look out for a spot for the solar array. Advisably, keep the array in range with the pump. Since power loss can occur when current travels through a long distance, keeping the distance between your connections close, including the controller, the water pump, and the solar panels, is advisable.

Dig up and Install the Water Pump and Solar Array

After choosing the best site for your project, start digging based on your preferred water pump. For example, a submersible water pump can go as deep as 700ft to lift water, while a surface pump can work around 10 to 20ft deep.

After that, run the piping from the water pump to your preferred destinations (farm, pool, well, storage tank, etc.) and seal the ground where the pump is installed.

Dig the site you picked for installing your solar array. Consider digging a 2ftx2ftx2ft for the array to get a stronger base for the solar panels. After digging, construct the I-beams and C-channels to carry the solar panels.

Once you finish the construction, line up your panels and complete the wiring. Link the panels and connect them to the solar pump system and controller. In this stage, involve an experienced electrician to avoid wrong wire connections.

Consider a Backup

Consider connecting a battery to support the solar system during cloudy conditions. However, ensure that your controller supports battery charging. You can read the leaflet of the controller to learn more about it.

Once you have all these settings, your solar water pumping system is ready. Notice how water will pump out when the sun hits the panels. As mentioned earlier, this system will save you a lot of money.

FAQs

How Much Can This Solar Pump Project Cost?

The cost of setting up a DIY solar pump system will range between $300 to $3000, depending on the purpose of the system. For example, an RV or boat circulation pump will cost roughly $300 when you add $100 for a DC water pump, $70 for the controller, $130 for the solar array, and $100 for a battery.

How Many Watts of Panels Are Ideal for Pumping Water?

Depending on the pump power and voltage, 100-watt panels or 375-watt panels are recommendable. They are more efficient and will give you their best performance.

How Deep Can a Solar Pump Reach to Pump Water?

It depends on the kind of pump you’re working with. A surface or in-line pump can stay around 100 feet or shallow water level, while submersible pumps can go up to 400 feet deep.

Are there Disadvantages of Solar Pumping Systems?

The possible disadvantages of this system are that it depends on the levels of solar radiation and the cost of setting it up is quite expensive. Nevertheless, having one or more backup batteries can be your best bet. Furthermore, since the panels are in open fields, they’re prone to theft.

What Is the Life Span of Solar Pumps?

Solar pumps can last 10 to 20 years, based on their uses and types. Running the pump non-stop will cut down its lifespan. Thus, consider having a storage drum to hold water so you can turn off the system for some time.

solar powered water pump pumping up water on field

DIY solar water pump is a one-time investment. Initially, setting up is costly, but its use cases are worth it. Also, its environmental effect benefits humanity as it’s an eco-friendly project that produces no chemicals during operations.

Before setting up a DIY solar pump, remember a few tips. These include knowing the necessary materials, choosing your sites, and knowing the number of panels needed. With these, you can build a solar pump without hassles.

8 Community Choice Aggregators Join Forces to Purchase Power Through California Community Power

Community choice aggregators (CCAs) in Northern and Central California have joined forces to form a new Joint Powers Authority (JPA). The new JPA will include Central Coast Community Energy, MCE, East Bay Community Energy, San Jose Clean Energy, Redwood Coast Energy Authority, Sonoma Clean Power, Peninsula Clean Energy, and Silicon Valley Clean Energy. According to the group, CleanPowerSF and San Francisco’s CCA are seeking membership.

What is Community Choice Aggregation?

Well, let’s have a quick look at the video below:

The JPA makes it possible for the 8 Community choice aggregators to join their buying power to procure large-scale, cost-effective, and clean energy to meet the climate goals at the local and state levels. The combined buying power will also offer cost-effective programs and services.

Community choice aggregators have become a major player in the electricity markets in California. The CCAs are tasked with supplying electricity from the state’s investor-owned facilities to millions of customers. As the 8 CCAs come together, their goal is to buy large amounts of clean energy to advance climate goals.

The new group that forms California Community Power serves about 2.6 million customer accounts. In total, the CCAs serve an annual load of 32 600 GWh, which is about 40% of what the Northern California utility Pacific Gas & Electric serves.

According to a senior solar analyst at Wood Mackenzie, Colin Smith, this makes the joint buying group one of the biggest purchasers of power in the country. The group also serves about 6.6 million customers in more than 140 municipalities from Humboldt County to Santa Barbara County.

The group will allow different aggregators to collaborate on bigger energy procurements, which they would not have handled separately. This is especially true for smaller and new CCAs who may have difficulty getting financiers for their power projects.

However, joining forces with larger CCAs with investment-grade credit ratings will give them greater leverage, better deals, and confidence from developers. Other benefits of the JPA include increased innovation opportunities, enhanced negotiating power, shared risk mitigation, and greater procurements for renewable and storage.

In October, seven CCAs in the California Community Power and another CCA announced a request for offers for long-duration storage. The long-duration Request for Offers comprises a contract of at least 10 minimum for grid-charged technologies with a minimum discharge period of 8 hours to come online by 2026 or before.

According to the state regulators, the long-duration storage procurement is supposed to meet the clean energy goals of California. The JPA is currently steering that process for its seven members.

La Mesa Prepares to Launch Community Choice Power Program

La Mesa has partnered with four other cities to prepare the launching of the community choice energy program. The program is intended to provide a transition from renewable sources to clean energy to approximately 770,000 customers in La Mesa, San Diego, Imperial Beach, Encinitas, and Chula Vista.

The SDCP (San Diego Community Power) is set to be the second-largest CCA (community choice aggregation) program in California.  This program will be locally run and proponents believe that it will be the solution to providing the community with 100% renewable and cost-effective energy.

According to the California rules, San Diego Community Power customers will automatically be enrolled in the CCA program. Despite the establishment of CCA, incumbent power companies like SDG&E will continue to operate and provide services that are not associated with power purchasing.

This includes tasks such as customer billing and transmission and distribution of energy. SDGE will be responsible for purchasing renewable energy and then feed the energy into the electricity grid that is maintained by SDG&E. Besides, customers that prefer to remain with SDG&E can come out of San Diego Community Power (SDCP) for free.

David Harris, who is a resident of La Mesa and a member of the group’s 10-member Community Advisory Committee, expressed his gratitude to the city for publicizing the importance of San Diego Community Power to the city.

He also thanked the city of La Mesa for consenting to community choice energy for La Mesa in 2019. Harris said that once the program is launched, San Diego Community Power will give 50% more renewable energy to the electric grid compared to the SDG&E.

Harris said that the surplus revenue that San Diego Community Power will generate will be reinvested back to the community. This, he said, will create local jobs for skillful workers and fund renewable energy products.

According, Bill Carnaham, San Diego Community Power Interim Chief Executive Officer, the rates and service offerings will be structured such that they are in line with San Diego Gas & Electric.

During a presentation at La Mesa City Council, Carnaham and Cody Hooven, who is the Chief Operating Officer at San Diego Community Power said that one of the group’s goals was to attain 100% renewable energy by 2035. Attaining this goal will also help La Mesa to meet its goals of greenhouse gas reduction as stated in its Climate Action Plan for 2018.

Carnaham said that SDCP will send two notices to customers before they are enrolled and the other two notices after the service begins. The notices will include information that allows customers to opt out if they want to.

As aforementioned, the enrolment in the program is automatic. However, participation is voluntary. This is according to the statement of intent of the SDCP group that was filed in December 2019 with the California Public Utilities Commission.

To make the launching possible, the City of San Diego allocated half a million dollars from its 2019-2020 budget to support the program. The group has also taken a $30 million working capital loan and a $5 million bank loan for the purchase.

Energy Saving: EBCE Comes Up with Holistic Approach to Energy Saving

The EBCE is taking steps towards achieving a zero-emission power system in the next decade. Despite this move, one of the challenges is the evening peak. While it is easy to meet the power demand in the daytime when the sun is up, it becomes a challenge in the evening when the sun goes down.

There is a need for something else to meet the demand in the evening hours. The peak hours are expensive times for EBCE customers to buy power. However, the most viable solution that can help fill the gap is to burn natural gas. This can be a setback since it is not zero-emission.

Pay for Performance

To ensure energy saving, EBCE has come up with a new approach known as Pay for Performance. EBCE uses this approach to compensate energy efficiency contractors depending on their capabilities to cut or reduce demand in the evening hours. The approach is also set to give verified savings to targeted customers.

By saving energy during peak hours, EBCE will help save money for everyone. EBCE developed pilot programs for the Pay for Performance approach in 2019, which was intended for low-income residential customers, single-family residential, and commercial customers.

In-house Data Capabilities

To help with the entire process, EBCE hired the Recurve Company, which was responsible for developing a dashboard that builds on the in-house data capabilities of EBCE. The dashboard helps to analyze customer loads comprehensively. It then creates baselines and keeps track of how the loads change based on the energy measures.

For EBCE to get the highest value, a constant stream of sub-hourly data from the smart meters is constantly fed into the dashboard. This also allows EBCE to reach customers that would greatly benefit from the program.

Generally, a red dotted line will represent the general population and a blue line for those with high demand during peak hours. The program makes it easy to filter customers with high demand during peak hours from the general population. Consequently, the program is now able to target customers that have the most potential to save.

The Low-Income Pilot

According to the program manager for building electrification and energy efficiency at EBCE, Beckie Mentem, the low-income pilot has enabled them to identify customers on rate discount programs like FERA or CARE that utilize massive energy during peak hours low-income pilot.

She went on to say that some households in the low-income category use nearly 12% of their income on energy. This, she says, is higher than what most wealthy customers use. Basically, the program will help customers lower the proportion of their energy use to their monthly income, helping them save on their energy costs.

Mentem was quick to note that providing efficiency improvements meant for cutting the demand during peak hours will significantly lower their bills. It will also ensure a seamless time-of-use rates transition set to phase this year and lower the need for EBCE to provide power during peak hours. She said that this would help save money for all their customers.

Advocates Against Indiana Move to Curb Solar

On Wednesday, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) gave a ruling that will see customer-owned solar inaccessible for Vectren customers. The move will reduce the credit that future-solar owners, who are served by Vectren, will receive. IURC decision will also change the period for earning credits, meaning that customer-owned solar will be credited at the new lower rate.

The IURC oversees five investor-owned utilities in the state including Vectren Energy, Indiana Michigan Power, Duke Energy, Northern Indiana Public Service Company, and Indianapolis Power and Light.

The INA broad alliance of solar, environmental, and consumer advocates of Indiana have condemned the ruling.  According to the advocates, the decision is a great setback for the customer-owned solar market in Indiana. The coalition of advocates has put a lot in environmental and consumer outcomes in regions like Indiana, the Midwest, and the nation.

The ruling will solidify the monopoly of CenterPoint and this will be a major setback for customer-owned solar in the territory. It will have a negative impact on the consumers in Southwest Indiana.

In 2015, Indiana lawmakers tried to pass a bill that aimed to decrease the payback for net-metered solar. The bill also aimed at allowing state utilities to add new bill charges. However, the bill was pulled down before it could even reach a vote.

The solar industry and advocates are concerned that the ruling favors monopolies and puts unfair burdens on rooftop customers.

According to Indiana Program Director at Solar United Neighbors, Zach Schalk, solar owners are entitled to fair value as compensation for the electricity they generate. Zach said that rooftop solar harvests sunshine to give clean electricity, which benefits all customers.

He went on to say that they are disappointed by the IURC’s ruling to protect the monopoly profits of Vectren at the expense of Hoosier. He believes that the IURC should have stood up for the consumers by supporting rooftop solars.

In response to IURC’s rulings, Kerwin Olson, who is the executive director at Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana this is another scenario of the consumers losing at the IURC and the monopolies winning. Kerwin said that it is shortsighted decisions like the one IURC made that continuously leave Indiana consumers behind and entire Indiana in the dark for ages.

A senior attorney at Environmental Law & Policy Center, Brad Klein made his remarks saying that they are very disappointed that the IURC chose to prioritize the profits of Vectren over the interests of its customers. He went on to say that the decision of the IURC is contrary to Indiana law.

Emphasis: Power’s Regulatory Director, Thomas Brown said that the move is a setback for Indiana and its community. He said that families and businesses in Southern Indiana desire to have clean energy but this is proving difficult because of the IURC decision.

He said that the ruling prevents fair compensation for companies that have invested in local solar. He was also quick to note that Indiana was moving backward as parts of the Midwest invest in clean energy and take steps to modernize electric grid.

Ultimately, there is no denying that curbing customer-owned solar will cripple the solar industry that serves them as well. It limits the customer’s choice when it comes to their source of energy and their ability to be self-sufficient. Solar installers are arguably the fastest-growing jobs in the U.S and a good number of the jobs are in Indiana.

However, with the move to curb solar in Indiana, installers may need to expand their business to other states to be able to survive. Businesses may be forced to move their businesses to other states or lay off employees.

2021 Nominations for the Dr. Espanola Jackson Solar Justice Award Open

Emphasis: Power is pleased to announce that nominations for the Dr. Espanola Jackson Solar Justice Award are open. The award is set to celebrate outstanding solar justice heroes in honor of the legacy of Dr. Espanola Jackson.

The late Dr. Espanola Jackson was a renowned environmental justice leader and solar ambassador for families with low income. She was a dedicated grassroots community activist that worked tirelessly to ensure economic justice, environmental justice, and that the civil rights issues of the community are addressed.

She made a great impact in the state of California, particularly Bayview Hunters Point Community and San Francisco. She was recognized and honored by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for the environmental impact she made in the country.

She collaborated on several projects such as coming up with a solar incentive plan for the residents of San Francisco. Dr. Espanola also advocated for the rights of tenants in the low-income category and was involved in the shutting down of the Potrero Power Plant.

Community activist Espanola Jackson died at the age of 82-years-old and left a legacy that will live on. To celebrate Dr. Espanola Jackson, Emphasis: Power is proud to recognize and honor great solar justice heroes in our community today with the Dr. Espanola Jackson Solar Justice Award.

The award recognizes individuals who are:

  • Leaders who have served their communities for a long time anywhere in the US
  • Great coalition builders who can mobilize their support in and around their community
  • Committed to improving the health and well-being of people in their communities using solar energy
  • Able to influence the local or state energy policy agenda by way of direct grassroots advocacy
  • Working at crossroads to ensure access to clean energy & racial justice
  • Dedicated to put a stop to the polluting energy economy and use clean energy opportunities to promote health, jobs, and more savings to people in their community

The aim of giving this award is to honor the important role of activism that is geared towards the community by people of color who are committed to environmental progress and clean energy transition.

The recipients of this award are individuals that practice environmental justice leadership and offer inspiration to the community to embrace the clean energy transition. They are role models when it comes to environmental justice leadership and a great inspiration to the public to work and support the move to a just clean energy transition.

Usually, Emphasis: Power holds this event in San Francisco. However, this year, the event will be celebrated virtually due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. The timeline of the award process is as follows:

  • Nominations Open: April 7th
  • Nominations Close: May 3rd
  • Nominees give limelight on our platform: During May
  • Winner Announced: June 9th
  • Virtual Reception: July 14th

All nominations sent for award consideration will be reviewed by a committee that includes Emphasis: Power staff and other people that worked with Dr. Espanola Jackson closely.

During the virtual event, Emphasis: Power will recognize the awardee and gift $5,000 to their organization.