Solarize the Triad, a new private-public coalition is working to expand solar energy usage in the region.
The program is designed to boost solar energy through community outreach and group purchasing of materials and services.
Piedmont Environmental Alliance Green Jobs Program Manager Will Eley says the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 allowed local governments and nonprofits access to tax credits for solar installations.
That move was a game changer, he says. But navigating the paperwork and technology has been a barrier that has kept many groups from taking advantage.
"It’s daunting for individuals that even have decades of experience," he says. "So a big goal of our campaign is to demystify and alleviate those fears and just help people feel all the more confident.”
Through the program, community groups will be able to generate their own power through solar installations on their buildings.
Nonprofits involved in the effort include large regional agencies such as Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina and community-based organizations like Winston-Salem’s Boston-Thurmond United.