2024

A Year Packed with Social Impact

Solar Stewards 2024 Annual Report

A Message from founder and CEO, Dana Clare Redden

“By working closely with communities, we amplify their voices and ensure development projects not only meet their needs but align with their goals, fostering trust and delivering meaningful impact. ”

As we look back on this year’s journey, we are profoundly grateful for the steadfast support and dedication of our Climate Stewards, partners, and advocates. Together, we have made remarkable progress toward a sustainable and equitable future, prioritizing historically marginalized communities in the clean energy transition. Your contributions, shared vision, and unwavering commitment have driven innovation and impact across all our initiatives.

It is through these collective efforts that we continue to create meaningful change and build a brighter, more inclusive future. Thank you for an incredible year of collaboration and hope. We are excited to continue this vital work with you in the year ahead.

Data that

Drives Change

  • STEM education, student health services, and mental health awareness by funding supplies, hiring nurses, counselors, and instructional staff across multiple schools in East Washington School District, Indiana.

  • 175 low-income households provided with clean energy at a 25% discount, benefiting 100% LMI-qualified residents.

  • Okta, the first purchaser of Solar Stewards' Social RECs®, has committed over $30,000 over three years, funding rooftop solar access, air quality improvements, and environmental justice grants for impacted Westside neighborhoods. With an additional three-year renewal, Okta will expand REC procurement to Atlanta, GA, in 2025.

  • From coast to coast—spanning California, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York—Founder and CEO Dana Clare Redden traveled extensively to amplify the reach and impact of Solar Stewards' mission.

Transformative Alliances

PSG & T-Mobile

Partnering with T-Mobile as a Climate Steward, PSG Energy Group established a unique collaboration focused on benefiting Indiana school districts. Through the Solar Stewards marketplace, these schools leveraged Social REC® revenue to enhance educational programs, including STEAM, computer science, and robotics, by funding classroom supplies and upgrades. This partnership, formalized in a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA), empowers communities to actively shape revenue use, fostering student success and community development.

Solarize Gwenitt & Microsoft

The Gwinnett Solarize Coalition launched Solarize Gwinnett to promote clean energy in Georgia through group purchasing. Residents donated Social REC® revenue to Gwinnett Housing, funding energy upgrades for low-income households. A partnership with Microsoft advanced renewable energy access and supported their carbon-negative goals. This initiative combined sustainability with community impact.

CAF & CohnReznick

Solar Stewards partnered with the Climate Access Fund (CAF) to support the Solar4Us@Henderson-Hopkins project, providing solar power to 175 low-income households in Baltimore at a 25% discount. The project, launched in February, is based on the rooftop of the Henderson-Hopkins School and exclusively serves low- to moderate-income subscribers. In addition to clean energy and cost savings, it offers workforce training and academic programs, including a student club on solar power and energy efficiency. This collaboration reflects a multiyear commitment to reducing energy burdens and promoting sustainability in East Baltimore.

OKTA & Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is working toward a 100% renewable energy goal by 2030, emphasizing energy equity and local climate action. Solar Stewards helped the city utilize solar panels at the Sorenson Multicultural Center to generate Social REC® revenue. Partnering with Okta, the Social RECs® support energy equity and fund community development initiatives through a signed Community Benefits Agreement. This collaboration ensures transparency, accountability, and meaningful local impact.

CohnReznick & Henderson Hopkins

Solar Stewards partnered with the Climate Access Fund (CAF) on the Solar4Us@Henderson-Hopkins project to support 175 low-income households in Baltimore with solar energy at a 25% discount. Located on the Henderson-Hopkins School rooftop, the project exclusively serves low- and moderate-income residents, offering clean energy, cost savings, workforce training, and educational programs. CAF will also establish a student club focused on solar energy and efficiency. Solar Stewards secured a multiyear agreement, with Cohn Reznick as the Social REC® purchaser, to reduce energy burdens and promote equity.

The Road to Meaningful Impact

RE+ Community Energy Summit

At the inaugural RE+ Community Energy event in San Diego, Solar Stewards founder Dana Clare Redden shared insights on community-centered energy solutions. Speaking alongside industry experts, Dana highlighted Solar Stewards’ innovative marketplace and mission, emphasizing how their model fosters clean energy generation while delivering meaningful benefits to communities.

Salt Lake City Site Visit

Solar Stewards played a pivotal role in advancing Salt Lake City’s goal of 100% renewable energy by 2030, connecting the Sorenson Multicultural Center with Okta, a Climate Steward, to support localized climate action through Social RECs®. During a site visit, the Solar Stewards team explored the impactful partnership and potential collaborations with the local school district, aligning efforts to drive community benefits and clean energy progress.

At E2’s Georgia Clean Economy Summit, Solar Stewards founder Dana Clare Redden highlighted the critical role of small businesses in driving economic growth and championing an equitable energy transition. Speaking alongside representatives from GEFA and the DOE, Dana emphasized justice and inclusion in the future energy workforce, aligning with Georgia's burgeoning clean energy economy and the opportunities created by the Inflation Reduction Act.

The Nature Conservancy & Clean Energy Buyers Institute

Solar Stewards participated in The Nature Conservancy & Clean Energy Buyers Institute (TNC/CEBI) Market Standards Steering Committee Workshop to advance inclusive and equitable renewable energy practices. Through collaborative discussions, the workshop focused on creating shared market standards that prioritize community, conservation, and climate while addressing gaps to ensure marginalized populations are included in clean energy initiatives.

Dana Clare Redden took the stage at SXSW to highlight the importance of co-developing clean energy solutions with communities. She emphasized how Solar Stewards’ Social RECs® and Community Benefit Agreements empower historically excluded communities to shape climate initiatives, ensuring trust, inclusion, and tangible benefits for local populations.

Movement for Solar Capacity and Leadership

InPowered Women's Networking Event

Founder and CEO Dana Redden attended an InPowered Women's networking event focused on community building, mentorship, and collaboration with other metro Atlanta's female business leaders.

At the International Living Future Institute’s 2024 conference, Solar Stewards’ Founder and CEO, Dana Redden, presented “Design Thinking for Systems Change” during her 15 Minutes of Brilliance session on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the renewable energy sector. Her talk emphasized fostering unity and inclusion by creating greater opportunities for BIPOC individuals and women in clean energy.

SEIA Golden Gala: Building on 50 Years of Solar and Storage Progress

Solar Stewards’ Founder and CEO, Dana Redden, attended the Solar Energy Industries Association’s (SEIA) 50th anniversary gala at the National Portrait Gallery. The event celebrated the transformative growth of the solar and storage industry, bringing together over 500 leaders to honor the sector’s achievements and promising future.

Shine Bright Essay Contest

Solar and Energy Loan Fund Board

REM Conference

E2 Presents: Georgia Clean Economy Summit

SXSW Energy Transitions: Partnerships for Co-Developed Solutions

Solar Stewards’ Community Success Manager, Cee Williams, participated in the Movement for Solar Capacity and Leadership retreat, collaborating with diverse organizations to explore innovative solar funding strategies. Key insights included leveraging non-traditional financing options, such as CDFIs and Green Banks, to accelerate equitable clean energy transitions beyond federal grants.

Clean Energy Buyers Association Spring Summit

Solar Stewards’ Founder Dana Redden joined the Board of Directors for SELF, a national leader in energy equity and environmental justice. SELF has facilitated over $30 million in green economic development, financing sustainable property improvements in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, and advancing climate resilience through innovative programs like Green Home loans.

B.O.S.S. Eggs and Equity Breakfast

Solar Stewards’ Founder and CEO, Dana Redden, moderated a panel at the Energy, Eggs, and Equity event hosted by Black Owners of Solar Services at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. The event celebrated the Georgia expansion of the Equitable Clean Energy Advancement Initiative (ECEAI) in partnership with the Department of Energy, promoting equity in clean energy transitions

At the Clean Energy Buyers Association (CEBA) Summit, Solar Stewards’ Founder Dana Redden discussed the mission of the Steering Committee supporting The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Clean Energy Buyers Institute (CEBI) in developing a voluntary market standard for renewable energy projects. This initiative aims to integrate social, environmental, and economic benefits into renewable energy development while advancing ESG commitments and building trust in the clean energy sector.

Solar Stewards sponsored the Solar and Storage Industries Institute’s 2024 Shine Bright Essay Contest, created by Founder Dana Redden, to inspire the next generation of clean energy leaders. Grand Prize Winner Imani Laird from Newton Highlands, MA, was among hundreds of U.S. high school students who shared their vision for the future of energy and the transformative role of solar and storage solutions. Imani’s full essay video can be found here: https://lnkd.in/e_WWjpKg

KidWind Project, Inc. Solar Challenge

Solar Stewards proudly supported Team Power of the Sun from PA Steam Academy, winners of the Rookie of the Year award at the 2024 KidWind Solar Challenge. The team showcased their creativity and innovation by designing a solar-powered device, with guidance from their coach and community collaborators, including Solar Stewards and Black Owners of Solar Services (BOSS).

VOTE Solar Retreat

Solar Stewards’ CEO, Dana Clare Redden, contributed to Vote Solar’s 2024 Access and Equity Advisory Committee, participating in its first in-person retreat to develop equitable policy recommendations for distribution grid expansion. The committee is also collaborating on a white paper addressing the connection between redlining and distribution grid disparities.

Eco-Learn Nigeria

Solar Stewards International Associate, Ayomikun Joshua Kukoyi, extended his efforts to two underserved and rural communities in the Epe region of Lagos, Nigeria. There, he delivered climate education programs to students in two secondary schools, fostering awareness and understanding of critical environmental issues within these marginalized areas.

Net Zero Forum

Dana Clare Redden received the Smart Energy Decisions DEI Impact Award at the Net Zero Forum Fall, recognizing her leadership in advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the energy sector. This honor highlights Solar Stewards' commitment to integrating social equity into the clean energy transition through innovative strategies and meaningful community impact.

RE+ 2024

Dana Redden joined a panel to equip attendees with tools for building equitable community partnerships in clean energy projects, highlighting Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs) and real-world case studies on effective community engagement.

Dana Redden spoke at the REM Conference in Denver, highlighting opportunities to drive meaningful social change by integrating social impact and environmental justice into renewable energy procurement strategies.

Verge 24

RE+ Community Energy

Solar Stewards CEO, Dana Clare Redden, served as a moderator at the RE+ Community Energy event, leading a discussion on how community energy projects can prioritize benefits beyond clean energy generation. Joined by experts from the EPA, Climate and Clean Energy Equity Fund, and Pepco Holdings, Dana facilitated insights on strategies to enhance community resilience and capacity through equitable energy initiatives.

Department of Energy Minority Business Enterprise Connect Summit

Representing BOSS, Black Owners of Solar Services, founder Dana Redden attended the DOE MBE Summit with hundreds of other stakeholders. This event is aimed at raising awareness and increasing the participation of minority business enterprises (MBEs) and higher education institutions in DOE funding opportunities.

Living Future Conference

White House Event 

Solar Stewards’ Founder, Dana Redden, attended a White House event focused on accelerating clean energy through community engagement. She shared Solar Stewards’ approach to integrating communities into solar projects, emphasizing the importance of local involvement in achieving clean energy goals.

The ACRRE Convention

Dana Redden represented Solar Stewards at The ACRRE Convention, focusing on climate resilience and equitable solutions for low-income communities. The event provided valuable insights into underwriting processes, stakeholder engagement, and funding opportunities through CCIA, NCIF, and Solar for All. Developers shared expertise on multi-family projects and community engagement, while participants explored strategies for leveraging Investment Tax Credits (ITC) and accessing both public and private funding sources.

Climate Week

Dana Redden participated in The Nature Conservancy panel during Climate Week NYC to advocate for renewable energy standards, emphasizing the importance of Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs) for equitable development.

Climate Night Live

Dana Redden joined an esteemed panel where she emphasized the importance of integrating social equity into renewable energy projects, highlighting Solar Stewards' commitment to connecting corporate social responsibility initiatives with marginalized communities to promote environmental justice and sustainable development.

Solar Stewards participated in Verge 24, where founder Dana Clare Redden aligned with global leaders to champion equitable energy transitions. By advancing Social REC® revenues and Community Benefit Agreements, Solar Stewards continues to prioritize historically excluded communities in the pursuit of a net-zero future.

Green Light Podcast

Dana Clare Redden, was invited to be a guest on the Green Light Podcast hosted by Catherine McLean. Dana shared her vision on the podcast, emphasizing the transformative role of Social RECs® in creating equitable clean energy solutions. She highlighted Solar Stewards' commitment to empowering historically excluded communities and fostering partnerships that prioritize environmental justice and social impact.

Black Sustainability Summit

The Black Sustainability Summit brought together change makers to celebrate and advance Black-led solutions in sustainability, addressing environmental, economic, and social justice challenges. Solar Stewards participated in this dynamic event, aligning with its mission to empower communities of color through equitable clean energy initiatives and transformative partnerships.

WRISE Leadership Forum

At E2’s Georgia Clean Economy Summit, Founder Dana Clare Redden highlighted the vital role of small businesses in driving sustainable growth and emphasized justice and inclusion in the future energy workforce. Joining experts from GEFA and the U.S. DOE, the panel explored clean energy's transformative potential for Georgia's economy and communities.

Clean Energy Justice Collective

Solar Stewards CEO, Dana Clare Redden, presented at Drexel University's virtual conference on Design Thinking for Systems Change, addressing systemic injustices faced by marginalized communities. She highlighted the role of Design Thinking in fostering circular opportunities through social enterprise, community benefit agreements, and Social RECs. This impactful session educated students on leveraging innovative frameworks to drive equity and systemic change.

Clean Energy Justice Collective

Solar Stewards Program Associate Jewel Ndung’u, attended the Humanitarian Energy Conference (HEC) 2024 in Nairobi served as a vital platform to advance energy access for displaced populations, fostering dialogue among humanitarian actors, governments, and private entities. Solar Stewards actively engaged in discussions on decarbonizing humanitarian operations, leveraging Social Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), and scaling solar electrification in displacement settings. The event emphasized sustainable business models, long-term financing, and strategic public-private partnerships as key enablers for impactful energy solutions. Solar Stewards' participation reinforced its commitment to energy justice and decarbonization, setting the stage for future collaborations and innovative approaches in the humanitarian energy sector

SEEA Southeast Energy Summit

CEO and Founder Dana Clare Redden joined an esteemed SXSW panel to highlight the importance of co-developing clean energy solutions with communities. The discussion engaged leaders from diverse sectors, emphasizing innovative, community-driven approaches to advancing equitable renewable energy projects.

The NGO Whisperer Global Summit 2024

At the inaugural RE+ Community Energy event, Founder Dana Clare Redden highlighted Solar Stewards' mission to enhance community resilience through its innovative marketplace model. Speaking alongside experts, she emphasized how community energy projects can generate clean energy while delivering meaningful benefits to local communities.

SEIA Board Meeting

RE+ served as the largest and most comprehensive event in North America for the clean energy industry, bringing together renewable energy leaders for programming and networking opportunities. Solar Stewards' founder, Dana Clare Redden, attended to gain valuable insights into industry advancements and best practices, further supporting the mission of creating community-centered clean energy solutions.

Glad Tidings Site Visit

Solar Stewards CEO, Dana Clare Redden, visited Glad Tidings to explore opportunities for integrating sustainable practices into community initiatives. Her visit reinforced Solar Stewards' commitment to empowering faith-based organizations in the clean energy transition.

7Skyline Tribal Summit

Dana Clare Redden attended the Skyline Sustainability Symposium, an event dedicated to advancing 7Skyline's mission of promoting sustainability in the built environment through innovation and collaboration. The symposium highlighted opportunities to align clean energy initiatives with equitable and impactful solutions, resonating with Solar Stewards' commitment to fostering a just energy transition.

Georgia Solar Energy Association Holiday Luncheon

Solar Stewards CEO, Dana Clare Redden, attended the annual holiday luncheon hosted by GA Solar, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing solar energy across Georgia. The event fostered connections with industry leaders and reinforced Solar Stewards' commitment to supporting equitable clean energy solutions within the state.

Eco-Learn Nigeria

Solar Stewards International Associate, Ayomikun Kukoyi, partnered with the Netherlands Consulate in Lagos, Nigeria, to lead a transformative educational initiative on climate education. Over the course of six months, Ayomikun spearheaded a program designed to empower 40 public school teachers, featuring expert-led facilitation sessions to enhance their knowledge and teaching capacity. This impactful collaboration underscores a commitment to equipping educators with the tools to inspire climate action in their communities.

Shaw Industries

Solar Stewards CEO, Dana Clare Redden, visited Shaw Industries with Watershed Geo to explore sustainable innovations at Shaw Industries. The discussion highlighted shared commitments to integrating advanced environmental practices into business operations, fostering a cleaner and more sustainable future.

MOVING FORWARD

Expanding Impact & Advancing Together

As we look ahead to 2025, Solar Stewards remains steadfast in our mission to create equitable, sustainable energy solutions. In a shifting political and economic landscape, we are determined to amplify our impact by championing clean energy initiatives that prioritize community-driven partnerships and tangible outcomes. Despite systemic barriers to accessing the $27 billion awarded to nonprofit organizations, we continue to advocate for transparency and inclusion in federal funding processes.

Recognizing the private sector's potential to fill critical gaps, we are inspiring businesses to step forward with bold action, aligning profit with purpose to advance clean energy equity. Solar Stewards’ work this year is a testament to the power of innovation, collaboration, and persistence, and we’re excited to drive further progress toward a just energy transition.