APRIL 2021

AGGRESSIVE CARBON GOALS COULD BOOST SOLAR INDUSTRY

Ahead of an international summit on climate change, President Joe Biden has set the aggressive goal of cutting U.S. carbon emissions 50% by 2030. We applaud his ambition and pledge, as one of the country's leading solar companies, to do what we can through our projects to make it happen.

In this month's edition of our newsletter, we focus on our school-based solar projects in Virginia, community solar in Minnesota, the outlook for the role tax equity will play in expanding solar throughout the country, our new Innovations group (designed to foster "intrapreneurship" in our organization) and the important role women play in the solar industry.

Enjoy this month's newsletter, and subscribe today!

PROJECTS: VIRGINIA SCHOOLS; THE SWITCH IS ON 

SOLAR FOR SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES = SUSTAINABILITY GOALS

Recent state solar policy, efficient system designs, utility coordination and student activism are making it possible for Virginia schools to benefit from solar energy. The projects are often accompanied by on-the-ground learning opportunities for students, the schools save money on their electricity bills and the community contributes to the Commonwealth achieving its clean energy goals.

We’re passionate about helping schools and universities make the switch to solar. Working with developers and municipalities we have funded, and own and operate more than 21 solar sites at K-12 schools in Virginia, and hundreds at school systems and universities nationally. Learn more about our partnerships with educational institutions.

Learn more here

COMMUNITY SOLAR: MINNESOTA

Projects in Minnesota 

Minnesota’s regulatory environment is structured so financing solar projects is easier than in other states. As owners and operators of more than 60 megawatts in the state, we’re experts on the policy and finance landscape in Minnesota.

LEADERSHIP: ASK THE EXPERTS

RE:NEW: Tax Equity Outlook

The latest issue of RE:NEW features interviews with leading solar finance experts Jon Ellis of Crestmark, Jake Schnur of Fifth Third Commercial Bank and Michele Davis of Wood Mackenzie.

They share their insights on where they see the tax-equity funding market currently and where they expect it to go this year, as well as what obstacles they see in the market. 

Read the interviews here 

IN THE NEWS: INNOVATIONS GROUP

New Innovations Group Will Accelerate Growth and Foster Intrapreneurship

Recognizing the tremendous strengths and ingenuity of its workforce, Standard Solar Innovations will encourage “intrapreneurship” where employees articulate needs, propose solutions and experiment with new ways to solve technical and business challenges they have identified. The Innovations group will also lead the deployment of products and services, whether developed internally or externally, that respond to market demands for emerging opportunities, such as energy storage.

Read the press release here 

CELEBRATING WOMEN IN SOLAR

Women continue to be underrepresented in science- and technology-focused fields, and the solar industry is no different.

In honor of Women’s History Month in March we invited the women of Standard Solar to share their thoughts on why celebrating women in solar is so important and if they had any tips to other women on joining the industry.

Here are a few highlights.