Getting Started on Your Nonprofit Solar Project

By Rosana Francescato, lead writer and analyst, CollectiveSun | November 11, 2024

The first step in getting solar for your nonprofit is understanding a few solar basics. Once you have that understanding, you can begin your solar journey. 

Identify your nonprofit’s decision makers

While CollectiveSun can greatly simplify the process of going solar, we can’t make decisions for your organization. You probably can’t make decisions for your nonprofit on your own, either, especially big decisions like going solar. 

At some point, someone in your nonprofit will need to sign an agreement to proceed with the solar project. But the approval process should begin much earlier. You’ll need to get buy-in from your organization, ideally at all levels. 

You’ll also need to identify who makes decisions about big contracts and purchases. This may include your nonprofit’s Executive Director, Chief Financial Officer and/or Treasurer, and Board of Trustees. For some houses of worship, it may even be the entire congregation.

Get support from a green team

When embarking on a big project like going solar, you can use some support. A green team can help by providing education and building enthusiasm for solar — and other sustainability initiatives, such as recycling programs. A green team can also make your work lighter, helping you reach your goals more quickly and effectively. 

A green team is simply a group of people focused on promoting sustainability at an organization. At a nonprofit, the green team can include dedicated volunteers; in a house of worship, that can mean congregants. Even a small green team will increase your chances for success with your solar project.

To learn more about how to form an effective green team, read our article here.

Talk to your nonprofit about solar

How do you get your nonprofit on board with solar? That will depend on your organization and its members, but it’s generally a good idea to present the many benefits of solar, while also being sure to address any concerns your organization might have. Discuss these with all levels of your organization.

Outlining the benefits of solar can help persuade your organization to proceed with a project. 

• Solar savings. Nonprofits across the U.S. are enjoying savings with solar. While the amount your organization will save varies depending on a number of factors, you can expect to see utility bill savings; these dollars can then be used to support your critical mission. 
• Environmental stewardship. Most nonprofits serve their communities, and a great way to do that is to reduce emissions by going solar. For houses of worship, this call may be particularly strong, as it supports their values of creation care. With solar, your organization can serve as an example of environmental stewardship in your community.
• Education and community engagement. Solar can be a great educational tool for community members, including school children. In addition, it can inspire community and congregation members to take environmental actions of their own. 
• Enhanced reputation. Going solar can enhance your reputation in your community and beyond. That may even help with fundraising, as some donors are more likely to give to sustainable organizations.
• Resilience. Pairing your solar with energy storage can keep the lights on during power outages, benefitting your organization and potentially your community — as well as reducing hefty demand charges if you’re subject to those on your utility bill. 

Your organization may not be familiar with the process of going solar; it’s understandable to have questions and concerns. These are some common concerns you may need to address.

• Cost. The cost of solar has gone down in recent years, but it’s still a significant investment. Many new incentives are available to ease the financial burden. In addition, financing companies like CollectiveSun provide an array of options to fund solar projects — including our Solar Power Agreement, which lets your nonprofit go solar with no money down. We’ll detail these options in a future article on solar financing. 
• Complexity. Solar projects are basically construction projects; your organization may or may not be prepared to take that on. Securing available solar incentives can also be complex. The good news is that your organization doesn’t need to tackle this complexity on its own. CollectiveSun and our partners can handle the process, making it easy and simple.
• Bandwidth. Most nonprofits have their hands full achieving their mission. If you don’t have the bandwidth to take on a solar project, again, CollectiveSun is ready to help. At no cost to your nonprofit, we can manage all the details of your solar project and financing.
• Environmental concerns. While all manufacturing creates some greenhouse gas emissions, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory has found that the lifecycle emissions of solar panels are low; emissions will get even lower as more panel manufacturing returns to the U.S. Plus, the future is looking bright for both solar recycling and solar construction waste. Given the emissions reductions of producing clean solar energy compared to other energy generation, solar is a solid environmental choice.
• Aesthetics. We think solar panels are beautiful! If your organization doesn’t, you can choose low-profile panels — but keep in mind that visible panels provide more opportunities for education and community inspiration.

If other concerns arise, reach out to CollectiveSun. We can help you address these with your organization. 

Reduce your organization’s energy use

Before going solar, it’s a good idea to increase your building’s energy efficiency to reduce your energy consumption. Start with converting to LED light bulbs; LEDs provide a brighter, cleaner light, last longer, and use as little as 1/2 the energy of CFLs and only 1/10 as much as incandescent bulbs! You can also increase your energy efficiency by getting a tune-up for your HVAC system. A green team can help with these and other energy efficiency actions.

Go ahead with your solar project

Once you’ve gotten the green light to look into solar for your nonprofit, it’s time to prepare your nonprofit for solar by gathering information about your facility and choosing a financing option; we’ll cover details on these in the next articles in this series. 

You don’t have to go through this process alone. CollectiveSun is here to help you before, during, and after your solar is installed. We can guide you through the process of determining whether solar makes sense for your organization. If you’d like to explore getting solar for your nonprofit, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.