Episode 680

680: Best practices for Community engagement from Solstice Co-founder, Sandhya Murali

Published on: 5th March, 2024

Community solar has proven a viable pathway to more affordable and equitable clean energy, but how do developers overcome one of the main hurdles to the project’s success - community engagement? Founded with a commitment to making solar energy accessible to all, Solstice has become a key player in community solar, especially in the US Northeast, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and education in expanding renewable energy access. 

In this episode, Sandhya Murali, Co-founder & COO of Solstice, outlines the company’s strategic decisions and cultural values that have yielded broad success as a community solar pioneer. She delves into how Solstice:

  • Cultivates community trust and broadens solar participation through education and transparent communication.
  • Implements strategic marketing to nurture long-term community relationships.
  • Empowers communities through sustainable energy, whether it be homeowners, renters, businesses, nonprofits, or others. 

Listeners can also expect to uncover:

  • How economic incentives that circulate through communities can encourage many others to transition to renewable energy 
  • Solstice’s proactive approach to engaging with communities in the early stages of solar projects
  • The dedication developers must have to engage with the community they are building with to foster a long-term relationship and support for the mission 

This episode offers an in-depth look at how adhering to core values and focusing on community engagement can drive long-term success in community solar and beyond.

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.

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Mentioned in this episode:

CPS July 2024 V2

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About the Podcast

SunCast
Your resource for developing a clean energy or climate tech career
Nico Johnson takes you into conversations with those at the forefront of Renewable Energy.

SunCast gives an inside look into what is happening in renewable energy. From conversations with the biggest Solar Panel manufacturers in the world to the small startups creating the future of renewable energy, such as carbon capture and battery technology breakthroughs.

SunCast is dedicated to providing the knowledge, research, tools and expert guidance you need to understand, grow and be ahead of the curve in the fastest-growing markets in the world.

Featuring over 600 conversations, Nico has interviewed people from Tesla, SolarCity, Trina Solar, Meyer Burger, Conergy, SunEdison, Energy Vault and even the US Government... to name a few. Covering topics such as Solar Power, Wind Energy, Batteries, Electric Vehicles, Carbon Capture, Finance, Hydrogen, and more.

You can watch SunCast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SunCastMedia

...or view the full archive of SunCast episodes here: https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes