Community-Led Solar in Boston: Lessons Learned from a Pilot Project

In this webinar, hosted by the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA), guest speakers from Energy Allies and the Boston Community Solar Cooperative (BCSC) discussed their adaptable model for community-led solar.

The BCSC grew out of a grassroots coalition of individuals, businesses and nonprofits organizing for an equitable transition to a clean energy economy in Boston’s Environmental Justice Communities. Energy Allies supported the formation of BCSC as a community-led, community-benefiting organization. BCSC’s first community-owned solar array is being developed on the rooftop of the Dorchester Food Co-op. The BCSC is ensuring economic benefits such as jobs and ownership opportunities support communities most impacted by climate change in the Dorchester, Roxbury, and Mattapan neighborhoods of Boston. A solidarity fund is established to ensure that ownership costs are not prohibitive and enable greater community participation. Learn about the challenges, triumphs, and the impact community members can make when they unite for energy justice.

Panelists:

• Diana Eddowes, Energy Allies, Program Director
• Yesenia Rivera, Energy Allies, Executive Director
• Greg King, Boston Community Solar Co-op President
• Kate Raisz, Boston Community Solar Co-op Treasurer
• Beth Griffith, Boston Community Solar Co-op Board member
• Sam Koduat, Boston Community Solar Co-op Worker member
• Matt Ohloff, Project Manager, Clean Energy States Alliance