Team Highlight: How Solar United Neighbors Works to Build a New Energy System and Bring the Benefits of Solar to All Communities

Solar United Neighbors (SUN) has been representing the needs and interests of solar owners and supporters across the country since 2007. SUN envisions a clean, equitable energy system that directs control and benefits back to local communities, with solar on every roof and money in every pocket. SUN is a community of people building a new energy system with rooftop solar at the cornerstone. They help people go solar, join together, and fight for their energy rights. 

Impacts

SUN has made many impressive impacts on behalf of the solar industry. They have built a following of over 300,000 solar supporters. SUN has helped over 6,500 homeowners go solar through bulk purchase solar co-op programs and their Solar Help Desk service. SUN has been changing the conversation around solar by working with media outlets to share positive solar stories in the news. Policy efforts have been focused on building a clean, equitable energy system that directs control and benefits back to local communities. SUN efforts have also boosted local economies through good solar job creation. SUN and solar installation work invest money in the local economy, keeping more money in families’ pockets, benefitting all communities where the sun shines and solar is being installed. 

Community Solar 

While SUN primarily works to help residential homeowners figure out what they need to know to be good consumers when they go solar, SUN also works with communities who are interested in developing larger projects. A common example is community solar projects. SUN will hear from people who want to develop a community solar project or bring community solar to their area. Oftentimes the conversation trends towards financing and how to to understand whether a project makes sense or not. 

In January, SUN launched a redesigned community solar platform. It includes a three-step training process for the end-consumers where they can learn everything they need to know about how community solar works as well as sign up to access community solar in their area. SUN is in the process of loading up the platform with projects so people can actually subscribe to them in several states. 

Policy

SUN is increasingly engaging in policy nationally. One example is the 30 Million Solar Homes campaign. It is an effort to create millions of jobs, expand access to solar, reduce carbon pollutants and ultimately influence what gets into the Build Back Better Bill and other federal legislation. 

SUN makes it simple for solar advocates to learn about issues nationally and within their state and take action. 

Consumer Education

As an impartial nonprofit organization, SUN provides much needed education for the end-consumers of solar. SUN has created a Solar Owner’s Manual as a free resource for customers post-install. They also teamed up with Amicus O&M Cooperative to create the Solar Maintenance FAQ. Their goal is to make sure that people have a good experience going solar and they are educated throughout the process. 

Ensuring that solar has a good reputation as it expands rapidly is anchored in informed and knowledgeable consumers.

HeatSpring for Groups Program

Building knowledge is also important for SUN staff. SUN participates in the HeatSpring for Groups program, where they invest in their team’s technical education by enrolling staff in HeatSpring coursework. Through the HeatSpring for Groups, teams can access a team training dashboard and take advantage of bulk course discounts. SUN is one of hundreds of companies investing in their staff education with HeatSpring. Learn more about the HeatSpring for Groups program.