Getting your solar quotes

Solar installers will give you initial quotes for free, based on your electricity use and online views of your roof.

Selecting installers

As the solar industry has grown, so has the number of solar installers. Some are more reputable than others. So how do you find the good ones?

You can start by getting recommendations from other nonprofits who have gone solar in your area, and checking online reviews on services like Yelp. For more on selecting installers, see How to Avoid Solar Scams.

Compiling information on your electricity use and your facility

Once you’ve identified a few solar installers, they will need …

Solar Spotlight: Access Youth Academy

The mission of Access Youth Academy in San Diego, California is to transform the lives of underserved youth through academic enrichment, health and wellness, social responsibility and leadership using sports as a catalyst. Access Youth Academy believes every child should have equal access to achieve their full potential.

The organization’s work to support youth is now supported by a new solar system. We learned more about Access Youth Academy and their solar project from Shelby Coopwood, the organization’s Chief Operating Officer.

This loan was made possible by the generous participation of the BQuest Foundation.

How will you use the savings generated by going solar to further support your mission?

Our 68 kW rooftop system was installed in January this year. The savings generated from the system will be put back into programs for the students we serve and allow us to offer more enrichment opportunities, such as college trips, travel tournaments, and pre-college summer programs.

“Our recent solar installation at Access Youth Academy represents more than just an environmental upgrade — it’s a direct investment in our students’ futures. Every dollar saved on energy costs is another dollar we can channel into our transformative 14-year program, supporting our students’ academic and athletic journeys. This sustainable solution aligns perfectly with our long-term commitment to both environmental stewardship and educational excellence. As we continue to empower underserved youth through education and sports, this solar installation demonstrates our innovative approach to maximizing resources for the benefit of our students.” — Shelby Coopwood, Chief Operating Officer

How will going solar impact your community?

Our solar project will provide a great opportunity to….

Inflation Reduction Act Resources to Help Your Nonprofit

If you filed your taxes yesterday — or even if you didn’t — taxes and finances may be on your mind. That’s especially true for organizations who want to lower their solar costs through the direct pay provision of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Direct pay allows nonprofits to receive a payment that’s equal to the full value of tax credits when they build qualifying clean energy projects.

🗒️ Note: Given the policy uncertainty with the current administration, it’s important to act quickly to secure these benefits before any changes are made to these important provisions.

Although your nonprofit may not be required to file a regular tax form, some tax forms are required for your project to get direct pay. When those forms need to be filed depends on your organization’s fiscal year. How to file them can be a bit complex.

CollectiveSun is here to help! To make it easier to understand the IRA and keep you up to date, CollectiveSun has compiled a number of useful resources for nonprofits.

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CollectiveSun is here to help you with your solar financing.

| Interest Rates Start at 4.99% |

| Rates Are Based On Community Impact, Not Just Credit Score |

| One Simple Payment | Term Length Up To 10 Years |

| Payment Holiday Durning Construction of System | No Prepayment Penality |

Our goal is for you to end up with a solar system that reduces your carbon footprint and is a $0 down investment with a positive cash flow from day one, so it has an immediate impact on your bottom line. That’s what we want most for the organizations that are the backbone of our communities — financial and environmental sustainability that allows you to concentrate on your mission and reach your sustainability goals.

At CollectiveSun, we understand that every nonprofit is unique, and that’s why we offer a diverse range of financing options. Whether you’re considering a loan like our CollectiveSun Solar Loan designed to support your purchase of a solar system while allowing you to benefit directly from the Direct Pay Tax Rebate; exploring third-party ownership options like our CollectiveSun Solar Power Agreement (SPA); or seeking a hybrid funding model like our CollectiveSun Prepaid Solar Power Agreement (Prepaid SPA), we have the perfect solution to match your solar financing needs.

For those looking to dive deeper into how Direct Pay can benefit you, we’re excited to offer a free comprehensive course series on HeatSpring. This series covers not only Direct Pay but also the additional ITC bonus adders, providing you with all the information you need for when your filing is due.

📚 Enroll in the free course here:

CollectiveSun HeatSpring Direct Pay & More Course Series

You’ll discover how these incentives can make solar energy even more accessible and cost-effective for your nonprofit organization. Together, let’s harness the power of the sun to fuel your mission and create a brighter, more sustainable future for all.

Let’s connect and start the conversation!

Despite political and financial headwinds, the solar industry is reaching a critical tipping point that will transform the U.S. energy sector. With the massive and continued disruption of fossil fuel-based power plants, solar is likely to become the dominant source of energy for the U.S. over the next 10 years.

Think solar energy is a political issue? Think again. Amid the tumult of 2025, a survey of 500 business owners and 1,000 homeowners confirms what surveys have been finding for years: there is broad bipartisan support for solar across the nation.

A report from nonpartisan think tank Energy Innovation has found that clean energy is key to keeping U.S. electric bills in check. That’s because solar and wind have become the cheapest sources of new power generation over the past decade