RE-volv was recognized with the “Community Engagement” award in the Solar in Your Community Challenge, a $5 million prize competition from the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Technologies Office that aims to expand solar electricity access. RE-volv received national recognition for creating an innovative way to offer nonprofits an affordable solar lease financed by a crowdfunding-led revolving loan fund, along with providing training for community volunteers to conduct fundraising campaigns and launch their solar careers.
During the challenge, teams set out to complete four progress milestones which if completed would award them $60,000 in direct financial assistance from the Department of Energy. Of the more than 170 teams in the challenge RE-volv was one of only nine teams that successfully completed all of the milestones and received the full $60,000 of support.
Over the 18-month challenge, RE-volv has secured nonprofit leasing agreements for 14 solar projects, with installations of 10 projects in 6 states totaling 110 kW of capacity, providing 30% average savings on customer utility bills. As part of this program, RE-volv trained more than 250 college students and community leaders to spearhead solar projects in their own neighborhoods.
“The support and guidance from the DOE has been a game changer for RE-volv. We’ve been able to rapidly scale our operations and impact over the past year and a half, empowering more people to bring solar to those communities that need it most,” said Andreas Karelas, RE-volv founder and executive director. “Our solar projects and fellowship program have benefited 30,000 people in six states, including both established solar markets like California and relatively new solar markets like Maine, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Wisconsin.”
RE-volv is working alongside more than 170 teams from 40 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico to develop projects and programs that expand solar access to low- and moderate-income households; nonprofit organizations; and state, local and tribal governments. If all of the Solar in Your Community Challenge teams successfully execute their business plans, the program would create 1.6 gigawatts of new solar by 2020 and serve as many as 900 nonprofits and nearly 50,000 households.
RE-volv currently has four solar crowdfunding campaigns spearheaded by local college students in California, Ohio, South Carolina and Wisconsin. The projects will bring the power and benefits of solar energy to local nonprofits: East End Community Services in Dayton, Ohio, Primates Inc. in Westfield, Wisconsin, the University California Santa Barbara (UCSB) Student Housing Co-op in Isla Vista, California, and the VFW Post 10420 in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina.
The four nonprofits that will benefit from the solar campaigns all play critical roles in their community. UCSB Housing Co-op provides inclusive, low-rent housing and community space for all students. VFW Post 10420 is instrumental in helping the brave men and women who served in the armed forces acclimate to civilian life. Primates Inc. provides a sanctuary for primates used in medical testing facilities. East End Community Services provide a full range of programs and services to help people move out of poverty.
To support these student-led campaigns or learn more about them, visit re-volv.org/projects.
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