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National Database of Community and Renewable Energy Organizations

The Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) has compiled a database of over 400 community-oriented organizations with a focus on or interest in clean energy at the local level, especially in low-income and disadvantaged communities. The database emphasizes groups that seek to advance solar energy and environmental justice. Government agencies and renewable energy providers interested in developing equity-minded clean energy projects can use this database to identify potential community partners, and community organizations can use it to learn about other similar organizations and to connect with like-minded groups. 

If you know of organizations missing from the list or find inaccurate information, please contact Matt Ohloff. 

This database was developed as part of CESA's Solar with Justice: Connecting States and Communities project, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO). The Solar with Justice project aims to bring together state energy agencies developing solar for environmental justice communities to create opportunities for dialogue and collaboration. 

News from around the Country

Expanding community solar would help the Los Angeles municipal utility improve equity, according to a study led by NREL and UCLA

Minnesota adjusts solar incentives to prioritize low-income households. 

Solar energy system for apartment building in Mississippi cuts tenants' power bills. 

New York City Energy Efficiency Corporation provided financing for solar, storage, and EV charging in Westchester County, in which the majority of the solar generation will be available to low-and-moderate income households.  

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will provide up to $440 million for rooftop solar and battery storage for vulnerable households in Puerto Rico. 

Pilot program in Washington state brings free solar power to Yakima Valley farmworkers' families. 

New community solar project in Wisconsin to benefit low-income households that receive services from the Wisconsin Homes Energy Assistance program. 

New Resources

New report: The Initiative for Energy Justice released a report, titled Justice in 100: Analysis of the First Ten 100% Laws in the U.S., that evaluates the current state of 100% laws using the Justice in 100 Scorecard methodology across five energy justice indicators.  

DOE announced the 2023 Sunny Award winners, representing competitors that demonstrated effective ways to equitably deliver the specific, meaningful benefits of community solar identified by the National Community Solar Partnership. 

DOE opened applications for organizations interested in leading one or more of five proposed Equitable Solar Communities of Practice (CoP), i.e., groups of organizations with expertise in equitable solar including one lead organization and up to six core team members. Each CoP will conduct analysis and host community conversations on a specific meaningful benefit, including (1) equitable access and consumer protections, (2) meaningful household savings, (3) resilience, storage, and grid benefits, (4) community-led economic development, (5) and solar workforce. Organizations selected for this opportunity will be eligible for $75,000 in funding per CoP, awarded based on the completion of project milestones. This opportunity closes on December 8, 2023, at 5 p.m. ET.  

The DOE Communities Local Energy Action Program (Communities LEAP) is accepting applications through Dec. 14, 2023 at 5 p.m. ET. Under Communities LEAP, DOE matches 24 to 32 selected communities with technical assistance providers to assist them with bringing their clean energy planning and economic development vision to life and supports communities with up to $50,000 in funding for technical assistance. This opportunity is open to multi-stakeholder teams in low-income, energy-burdened communities that are also either disadvantaged or experiencing direct impacts from the shift away from fossil fuels. Applicants must include at least one community-based organization and at least one local, tribal (Federally recognized tribe), territorial, regional, or state government entity. Read the opportunity announcement in English here or in Spanish here and learn more about Communities LEAP here.