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How Solar Energy Is Helping Animals — And Their Humans
At CollectiveSun, we help fund solar projects for numerous kinds of nonprofits: communities of faith, schools and educational organizations, museums, medical centers, senior and affordable housing facilities, and many more.
All of these organizations serve their communities — and some of them serve both human and non-human members of those communities. Read on to learn more!
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In the Spotlight: Butte Humane Society
For over a century, Butte Humane Society in Chico, California, has opened its arms to the lost, the scared, and the forgotten animals of Butte County and beyond.
The organization’s operations are now powered by clean solar energy. We recently had the chance to talk to Emily Acevedo, the organization’s Executive Director, to learn more about Butte Humane Society’s inspiring mission and their new solar project.
This loan was made possible by the generous participation of the BQuest Foundation.
All images of the project are courtesy of Royal Aire.
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Please tell us about the programs and services you provideSince 1911, Butte Humane Society has given animals a second chance at love. I’m really proud that we’re celebrating 115 years as an organization this year. We’re one of the oldest nonprofits in our county and among the oldest nonprofits in the state.
We’re unique in that we’re a private nonprofit limited-admission shelter. All the work we do is to help advance animal welfare. We support other local shelters by taking in transferred animals from them, and we support our community by taking in owner-surrendered animals. Most of the city and county shelters are so over capacity with strays that they don’t have the capacity to help individuals who need to relinquish an animal.
We have the capacity to house about 45 dogs and about 130 cats. In 2025 we took in a total of 816 animals; our goal is to reach 1,000 per year. Our veterinary center served over 20,000 patients last year.
Who benefits from your programs and services?Our shelter serves dogs and cats. Our veterinary center serves those animals as well as large animals and exotics: birds, turtles, horses, and more.
We touch almost everyone in our community who is a pet owner. We also support people in need in our community through a variety of programs, including our pet food pantry, which creates a safety net for people struggling with food insecurity. Programs designed to support people who need food may not support their pets. Our program, which last year distributed almost 10 tons of pet food and supplies, helps people keep their pets at home and out of the shelter.
One of our largest areas of growth in recent years has been our internship program. I think it’s very important for us to help grow the next generation of animal welfare workers. Each semester we have about 40 college student interns, giving us a unique opportunity to educate these community members on who we are, what we do, and animal welfare. Quite a few of our interns have gone on to veterinary school, at a time when there’s a national shortage of veterinarians.
Tell us about your solar project and the process of going solarOur initial goal for our 210.92 kW system was to install all the solar panels on our roof. But to get the system size we wanted, in addition to covering our roof with solar, we added a small ground-mounted array behind the building.
We have a couple of industrial electric washers and dryers, which handle about 10,000 pounds of laundry every month — so we use a lot of electricity. With this solar project, we’ll cover all of our electrical needs.
One thing for nonprofits to keep in mind is that this is not like residential solar; the process takes longer. For that reason, it’s all the more important to start your project as soon as possible.
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| Read More Here! |
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If you’re thinking about getting solar for your nonprofit, you’re not alone! Many nonprofit organizations across the nation are going solar, and for good reason. Solar not only lowers your carbon footprint, supporting the environment — it can also lower your nonprofit’s electricity bills, allowing you to focus precious financial resources on your mission.
But the process of going solar may seem daunting.
That’s why we’ve created a comprehensive 62-page solar guide to give you the information you need, every step of the way.
At CollectiveSun, we’ve helped hundreds of nonprofits across the country go solar. We can help you before, during, and after your solar is installed — helping you determine whether solar makes sense for your organization, explaining the available financing options and incentives, and even managing the project for you, if you pick a financing option that includes that service.
Now, the support we provide nonprofits includes our new 62-page guide, with information to support you wherever you are in your solar journey. The guide includes:
Solar basics Financing solar for your nonprofit Preparing your nonprofit for solar What to do after you go solar And more things you need to know As a subscriber to our newsletter, you can download the 62-page guide for free below. Let us know if you have any questions or comments — we’re always here to help.
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| Download the Guide Here! |
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Disclaimer: The information in our educational materials does not constitute legal or tax advice and should not be relied upon for any purpose. Please consult your legal counsel and tax advisor. |
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Know a Nonprofit?
If your favorite nonprofit organization is exploring going solar and their mission is to provide programs & services that support communities of concern benefitting:
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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. |
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If you’d like to learn more, schedule
a 20-minute call with Matt here. |
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Navigating the world of solar financing can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Our team of seasoned experts has been focused on delivering solar financing solutions for nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations across the country for over a decade. In just the last few years, we’ve proudly facilitated solar projects for over 200 nonprofits spanning 25 states. |
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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 courses 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!
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CollectiveSun helps make solar for nonprofits a reality! Our innovative approach helps these organizations secure affordable financing and streamline project implementation. |
CollectiveSun, LLC 888 980 2786 (CSUN) |
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