This is Episode 3 of 5 in our Community Solar Series
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“The US Department of Energy considers community solar an indispensable source in our future energy mix.”
In Episode 3 of our Community Solar Series, we’ll hear from Nicole Steele, Senior advisor for Energy Justice & workforce at the Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office.
Nicole runs the National Community Solar Partnership, which as you heard in Episode 1 has set an ambitious goal of achieving $1B in energy savings across 5M households by 2025.
This would represent an increase from 3 to 20GW of community solar capacity in the US, and reflects an average bill reduction of 20%.
How does the DOE plan to support this program? Why did it need to exist at all? And how can you benefit from it in your company or community? That’s what we intend to understand and illuminate in this discussion with Nicole Steele.
Nicole (originally featured on SunCast episode 177) is a nationally recognized leader and expert in clean energy with a focus on frontline communities and workforce development. She has 20 years of experience working with government officials, policymakers, advocates, and entrepreneurs to develop and implement inclusive clean energy policies and programs. And as she says, “the business model of community solar is democratizing energy because it's a business model that allows for everyone to see the benefits of solar, even if you can't host solar on your rooftop.”
Key Questions we cover in this interview:
Why is the DOE supporting Community Solar, specifically?
Who are the stakeholders DOE is engaging, and how?
What is the “5 pathways to success” model that Nicole & DOE offer?
And, what are the desired outcomes for this program, beyond the headlines of $1B in energy savings?
According to Nicole, the DOE is focused on one thing w/this program: How do we get more community solar on more rooftops as quickly as possible?
Tune in to learn more and see how this program might be useful for your community.
Resources mentioned that are worth checking out right from your mobile:
NCSP Getting to 5 Million: Slides and Recording (53 min version)
NCSP Annual Summit: Recording (A FOUR HOUR event if you’re looking to do a truly deep dive!)
You can learn more about today’s guest and our expert lineup along with what else is to come in the series at www.mysuncast.com/communitysolar
The Community Solar series presented in partnership with EDP Renewables N. America, Distributed Generation.
You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make SunCast free for you, here: www.mysuncast.com/sponsors
And you can always find the resources and learn more about today’s guest, recommendations, book links, and more than 485 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.
You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on Twitter, LinkedIn or email.
Here’s a peak at what’s coming this week on the Community Solar Series
Episode 1: The Role of Policy in Community Solar with Jeff Cramer, CCSA & David Sandbank, NYSERDA
Episode 2: The Project Developer Perspective: Is it really that different?
Episode 3: Federal support for equitable access to solar
Episode 4: Customer acquisition for Community Solar
Episode 5: Understanding the “Value Stack” for Community Solar
TIMESTAMPS:
(02:40) How DOE defines community solar
(03:25) Why Energy Department supports community solar
(04:47) Nicole's role in the National Community Solar Partnership
(07:44) How community driven growth fuels the business model
(10:33) Why incentivize stakeholders, solar sales companies for communities
(15:36) What engaging stakeholders looks like for NCSP
(17:52) What the five pathways to success are
(31:15) Impact of framing community solar conversation
(37:14) How NCSP plans to ensure further 10% improvement
(39:54) What Nicole's community solar success parameter would be
(41:49) Where to learn more
(44:19) Wrap up
ABOUT NICOLE STEELE:
Nicole Steele joined the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office in January 2021 as a senior advisor for equity and workforce issues and leads the National Community Solar Partnership. She is a nationally recognized leader and expert in clean energy with a focus on frontline communities and workforce development. She has 20 years of experience working with government officials, policymakers, advocates, and entrepreneurs to develop and implement inclusive clean energy policies and programs. Nicole was the founding executive director of GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic, policy director at the Alliance to Save Energy, and ran the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program for Loudoun County, Virginia. She started her career in affordable housing, community planning, and politics. She is an AmeriCorps alumni and passionate supporter of community service.
CHECK OUT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY SOLAR SERIES:
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 20 minutes on Nico's calendar and discuss whether having him as Your personal coach might be the right next step.