Sol Systems’ 500 MW community impact investment portfolio with Microsoft is designed to maximize positive environmental, community and societal impact. Sol Systems will finance, develop and operate a portfolio of over 500 megawatts (MW) of solar projects in the U.S. and will sell energy from those projects to Microsoft. In parallel, working with local leaders in nearby communities and those disproportionately impacted by climate change, Sol Systems and Microsoft will invest at least $50 million for community-led grants and investments that support educational programs, job and career training, habitat restoration, and programs that support access to clean energy and energy efficiency.
As the first step, Sol Systems has contributed $200,000 to four community-based organizations focused on communities in Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington DC and one new national non-profit focused on increasing diversity in the solar industry. Learn more about our community partners:
Project Impacts
GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic
GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic (GRID Mid-Atlantic) based in Washington DC, is non-profit organization that provides no-cost solar installations and solar job training. Through their Solar Works DC Training and Solar Futures Programs, GRID provides group-based job training and education in solar system installation to residents with low incomes.
Sol’s partnership will help GRID to provide its students with career support services (such as career check-in sessions, resume techniques, professionalism in the workplace, etc.), financial and computer literacy programs, and other program support services.
PowerCorps PHL
PowerCorps PHL based in Philadelphia, connects young adults and returning citizens to careers through community service as a model to provide education and paid work experience.
Sol’s partnership will help PowerCorpsPHL to expand a skills-building program focused on mathematics and construction for the utility industry, increase career exposure opportunities for the students, and address transportation logistics services. for the program graduates.
Bright Solar Futures
Philadelphia Energy Authority’s Bright Solar Future (BSF) program provides access to solar careers for young people to grow a diverse and more equitable workforce combating climate change. The students, primarily from communities of color, train in solar and battery storage installation, sales, design, and job site safety.
Sol’s partnership will help curriculum development, equipment purchases for BSF’s new energy storage training model and creating a permanent solar training program.
Groundswell
Groundswell is a Washington DC-based, non-profit that builds community power through equitable community solar projects and resilience centers.
Sol’s partnership will provide direct assistance to support structural inspection, feasibility studies and applicable hardware updates for the resiliency center that will be built at the non-profit, City of Refuge in Baltimore, MD. The hub at City of Refuge will be among the first resiliency centers in the city with solar and battery storage.
Black Owners of Solar Services (BOSS)
Black Owners of Solar Services (BOSS) is a nationwide collaborative of entrepreneurs, financiers, veterans, engineers, contractors, and developers leading actionable solutions for sustained access to equitable opportunities in clean energy.
BOSS and Sol will collaborate in the development and implementation of a business-to-business mentorship and sponsorship program that will help connect diverse business owners to opportunities and relationships across the renewable energy industry.
