Youness Scally would be doing just fine as a CPA in the Bay Area, but, like so many #SolarWarriors, he was not content to stare at spreadsheets and longed to make a tangible impact on the world we live in.  That’s why, ten years ago, he co-founded Everybody Solar, a nonprofit that aims to install solar on other nonprofit organizations.  Their breakthrough project was on the headquarters of Rebuilding Together Peninsula, which had high electricity costs that they were able to offset with onsite solar panels.  Since then, they’ve done homeless shelters, national parks, after school programs like the YMCA and many more across the US. 

Launching a non-profit was not easy, Youness and I talk about some of the challenges to getting started, and it turns out fundraising is not the only hard part.  We talk about the challenges of starting a nonprofit in the energy sector, building a strong and diverse board, staying engaged with their supporters and managing time so that everything gets done. 

Youness manages his CPA business as well as Everybody Solar, so he is an expert on time management.  We get into tips from his mentors, his favorite accounting software and his bold predictions for the future. 

If you’re looking for an amazing non-profit to support this year, check out their website or just click here to donate.


BOOKS MENTIONED AND RECOMMENDATIONS:


RESOURCES:

Find Youness on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Follow Everybody Solar on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and check out their website.

New Your Times Article: Life is Short, what are you gonna do about that?


DONOR LEVELS:

Click here to donate.

Zeus Level Sponsor - Greek king of the gods - $25,000

Helios Level Sponsor - Greek god of the sun - $10,000

Apollo Level Sponsor - Greek god of light - $5,000

Neaera Level Sponsor - Greek goddess of the rising sun - $2,500

Eos Level Sponsor - Greek goddess of dawn - $1,000

Archimedes Level Sponsor - Greek astronomer - <$999


HIGHLIGHTING INDUSTRY SUCCESS STORIES, NON-PROFIT STARS:

Erika Mackie from Grid Alternatives, website
Reuben Veek, website


Energy Toolbase’s cohesive suite of project modeling, storage control, and asset monitoring software products enables developers to confidently deploy solar and energy storage projects.


ABOUT THE HOST OF SUNCAST:

Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, consistently rated a top solar podcast in the clean energy sector. The content of the show is geared towards listeners looking for insights on where the markets are headed, how to position themselves or their companies, and what today's market leaders do to stay ahead of the pack.

Nico is an Investor, Executive Coach, and 15-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.

You can connect with Nico Johnson on Twitter, LinkedIn or email.

If you’ve been second-guessing your work decisions or maybe trying to reconsider how you "fit" in the renewable energy industry -> grab 20min on Nico's calendar and discuss whether having him as Your personal coach might be the right next step.