Who We Are
About the Just Solar Coalition
The Just Solar Coalition embraces a vision of 100 percent access to the benefits of clean energy. We support a transition to a green economy that not only includes everyone but also helps to close the employment gap, improves the natural world and creates a new story about the community's role in the energy system.
We are a diverse coalition of solar developers, community organizers, environmental groups, faith leaders, thought leaders, rural developers, financers, workforce developers and more. We see the climate crisis, racism, and economic injustice as inextricably intertwined – and we believe that the solutions to these challenges must be systemic, too.
We share a common vision of ensuring a just transition for both workers and consumers into the new green energy economy.
What we’re about
We believe that everyone in the community has a stake in how the next energy evolution unfolds. So we’re about:
Expanding community ownership of solar arrays to renters and people with low income, using inclusive financing and strategic placement of solar gardens.
Creating more opportunities for minority-owned businesses and workers.
Job training programs for people returning to the community after incarceration.
Getting community members’ input into decisions that will impact their (and their children’s) future.
Inspiring those in power to envision and commit to concrete actions needed to build sustainable, equitable future.
Helping those in faith communities to connect the dots between their deepest held values and environmental justice.
Listening to historically marginalized voices, including Black, Indigenous and people of color, people living in poverty, working class people, community members reintegrating from incarceration, and others.
What We Do
We support a transition to a green economy that includes everyone, helps to close the employment gap, and creates a new story about the community's role in the energy system.
Educate & Inspire
We work to educate the public about disparities in the solar industry and build moral commitment to equity.
Shape Public Policy
We promote public policy that increases equity in the solar industry, making solar accessible regardless of income.
Build Solar Projects
We work on model projects such as the Shiloh Temple in North Minneapolis and employ local staff to lead this work.
Move the Market
We move the market by challenging solar developers to promote our values of justice and inclusion.
Our Values & Goals
Our work is guided by a values statement that underscores our commitment to full access to clean energy and to providing job training in the solar industry to local, low-income residents. We commit to:
Promote access to clean energy for all income levels, regardless of income or credit score
Create opportunities for local solar jobs and eliminate racial disparities
Respect the natural environment, recognizing that humans are part of it
Tell a new story about how energy is generated and who owns it
Read more about how our values and goals guide us in pushing for a clean energy economy!
How We Work
To advance our Just Solar values, we will:
Transform our culture by embodying compassion, valuing people for the unique strengths they bring to this work.
Respect differences and be persistent, diligent and rigorous in our pursuit of social, economic and environmental justice.
Build holistic campaigns that model the kinds of equity among people and the earth we hope to see in the wider world.
Assume the best in others and share the abundance of resources within and among our community.
Encourage humor, honesty and urgency in our actions and communications.
Remember and learn from past and current social, economic and environmental systemic injustice, and address root problems to the best of our abilities.
