What does it take to be a solar community organizer?
Meet Scott Meyers
What drew you to the solar industry and becoming a Community Organizer?
I grew up in rural, western New York, surrounded by a playground of nature and wildlife. From a young age I was passionate about improving the life of individuals around me, which led me to pursue a Bachelors degree in Political Science and Government. While studying I made a point to take any internship opportunity that came my way, and was introduced to solar energy during a semester long internship with the local town government.
The town was in the final stages of bringing a Solar Array in to power the municipal buildings, and that was my ‘light bulb’ moment. As I listened to engineers explain the savings opportunities to the town, I knew I wanted to focus my personal and professional life on bringing clean, renewable, solar energy to as many people as possible.
After graduation I joined Americorps NCCC as a Team Leader, and worked with communities that were in need. During my year of service I was able to work with families impacted by the aggressive wildfires in Northern California as well as victims of Hurricane Irma in Southern Florida. I gained a new perspective on these disasters that were exacerbated by climate change. I knew after those experiences that taking my passion and efforts to the solar industry was my next step. Three weeks after my Americorps graduation I started at SunCommon as a Community Organizer.
What does sustainability mean to you?
Sustainability is really important to me. It means leaving this earth a cleaner and healthier place for future generations. There is no “Planet B,” so it is our job to take steps to be more sustainable and helping others do the same. Little things like recycling, composting, and eating locally sourced foods all make a difference. Similarly, you can do big things like purchasing an EV or going solar. Every little bit helps and can make a major impact on how sustainably you live your life!
What’s your advice for someone looking to make an impact in this field, or in fighting climate change in general?
The solar industry is absolutely booming right now and it only continues to grow. There are so many skill sets that are valuable to the industry. You may be surprised where you’ll fit in! If you’re thinking about working for a company like SunCommon, look out for responsible companies who are serious about making an impact. For us, it’s adding much needed renewable energy to the grid. But there are lots of ways to leave the world better than you found it.
Take your skills and passion and work for industry that is already making a difference. There are so many great career fields out there that bring value to one’s life, and working in the industry might not be the case for you. However, there are ways to get involved locally and nationally that are just as important. Join your local river- or water keeper; your local Sierra Club, or start a sustainable group at your school or town government. Commit some of your time and energy to this beautiful place we live and get involved!
Our in-house Powerwall expert weighs in on the future of energy storage
As Vermont’s only Tesla certified Powerwall installer, we strongly value the trained professionals making the installs happen. Tae Wills was instrumental in getting our Powerwall program off the ground. From training the teams to informing our designs, Tae helped make it all possible.
Tae has a background in woodworking, specifically in violin building. The precision and attention to detail involved in this craft is evident in his electrical work today. Originally from a small town in Upstate New York, he’s accustomed to the harsh winters of the Northeast and believes in the stabilization of our grid.
This week we caught up with Tae to learn a bit more about his career as an electrician and how he feels about the work he does today.
What drew you to the solar industry?
To be honest, solar for me happened on accident. I couldn’t be more grateful that I am in this industry! I guess sometimes life has a way of putting you where you need to be. I became hooked almost instantly. I learned so much in this trade and have met so many extraordinary people. I couldn’t ask for a better profession.
How many Powerwalls have you installed?
Somewhere in the neighborhood of 300, maybe more. I’ve been lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. Storage has been very well received in Vermont.
What are the benefits of adding storage to solar?
The benefits are unquestionable. Having solar coupled with storage adds so many capabilities. One of the main features is that solar coupled with storage will keep the solar on in the event of a power outage, prolonging the life of the battery. It still makes me kinda giddy when we do an “off grid” test post-install and see solar powering a home, charging the battery, and the battery isn’t even having to discharge. Literally running your home off of energy from the sun. It seems so futuristic, and it amazes me.
How do you see this benefiting the grid long term?
Storage is already playing a huge part in stabilizing the grid here in Vermont and internationally (i.e. Puerto Rico, Hawaii, South Australia, and a handful of others). My personal feeling is that the current infrastructure is under stress. Storage can assist the need for energy during peak times, preventing “brown outs.” Storage is young but already proving itself beneficial on many fronts. It will only get better with time. I’m looking forward to seeing how far it will go.
Want to learn more about solar and battery back-up?
Give us a call or sign up on our site and we can explain your solar and storage options. You can sign up on our get started form or you can click the get started button. If you want more information on battery back-up and home energy storage solutions, you can find details on our home energy storage page or click the button below to find out more.
Have you heard Central Hudson rates are going up in 2024?
Central Hudson has announced that their rates will be increasing when their current rate plan expires in June of next year. If their proposed new rate plan goes through, average residential electric bills will increase by approximately 16% and natural gas bills by 19%. That’s a huge difference, especially when you consider rates will only continue to increase from there over the years.
You can avoid rate hikes like this by going solar now. Going solar provides you with control and predictability because your payment will never go up. When you purchase a solar electric system, you lock in the rate you pay for electricity, and you’ll have a fixed monthly payment, with each payment getting you closer to owning your solar outright (and ditching a monthly bill all together).
With utility power, on the other hand, you’re stuck in an agreement where the rules (and prices) can change at any time. As long as you need power, you are going to have to pay them for it, at whatever rate they want to charge you. So why not get in a contract where you know what you’re paying, and in the end, you don’t even have a monthly payment at all?
How long do you plan on paying for energy?
It’s likely that you’ll always need energy to power your home. Buying from your utility or fuel dealer is like paying rent – you pay every month but never build equity or lasting value. When you go solar, you purchase the means to generate your own power and stop the cycle of paying for electricity forever.
Energy costs tend to head in one direction: UP!
When you power and/or heat your home with solar, you take back control – and avoid rising costs.
Casey Engels just went solar at her home in Colchester, VT!
We stopped by on the day of her installation to check in on how she felt on the big day!
Casey and her partner are intentional about “leaving things better than we found it.” It feels meaningful to them that, whether they stay in their home forever or end up selling, they’ve made an impact on this property by choosing to power their life with the sun.
Congratulations Casey on your new 4.38 kW system (that’s 12 solar panels)!
How Does Solar Work?
Now that you are envisioning a beautiful solar array on your home or property, or falling in love with the idea of supporting a community solar project, you may be wondering, how does solar work? The basics of solar are relatively simply. Find out how solar works by clicking below.
Rooftop Solar Helps Susan Coté Reduce Her Carbon Footprint
Susan Coté in Williston didn’t feel good about her carbon footprint. She wanted to be less reliant on fossil fuels and more energy efficient. She found the green solution she was looking for – rooftop solar from SunCommon. She likes that we’re a local, Vermont solar company and that we’re a Certified B Corporation, which means we’re legally committed to using business as a force for good.
Look how psyched she is now that she added a whopping 19.2 kW system (that’s 60 solar panels!) in May 2018!
How Does Solar Work?
Now that you are envisioning a beautiful solar array on your home or property, or falling in love with the idea of supporting a community solar project, you may be wondering, how does solar work? The basics of solar are relatively simply. Find out how solar works by clicking below.
Meet the Beckers!
Eric and Miranda Becker live in Georgia, VT. A primary school principal and a high school English teacher, respectively, they are also parents to this little ray of sunshine!
Although their solar canopy has been the star of the show since Summer 2017 – “We’ve had so many people knock on the door and ask about it!” – the Beckers have come to rely on an equally important piece of solar-powered equipment that isn’t visible from the road…
Introducing: Heat Pumps
For the Becker family, their two heat pumps have become an integral part of their home.
The smart technology behind heat pumps keeps their home consistently warm and cozy throughout the winter — and dry and cool all summer long. Allergens and dust are filtered out as the heated or cooled air is circulated through the house. Clean, quiet, and reliable… What more could you ask for when it comes to personal comfort?
How do I go solar?
The process for going solar is simple. It starts with filling out our get started form. You can do so by clicking the get started button. If you want to know more details about the process and the steps involved between signing up and turning on the power, click the button below to find out more.
There are so many ways to travel with solar as your fuel. These days we’ve got electric cars, bikes, scooters, skateboards, and even motorcycles. Lots of options for folks living in big cities or small communities. At SunCommon, we believe in a clean energy future for everyone — and when it comes to e-transport, that future is arriving quickly.
E-technology from Luxembourg to Las Vegas
A folding e-scooter out of Luxembourg got some major buzz at this year’s International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The Ujet has a lightweight frame that folds up for portability and to save space. You can roll the battery right into your workplace or home and charge it in a standard outlet. While smart-phone integration makes this a pricey ride, it shows the degree of innovation that’s currently going into e-transport.
Closer to home: e-scooters and e-bikes in Vermont’s capital city
Montpelier, Vermont may be a small capital city, but it’s currently a hub for e-transport. Through mid-December, 100 Bird e-scooters are available downtown for public use through a pilot program to promote affordable, environmentally-sustainable transportation. Residents can use the Bird Rides smartphone app to locate, unlock, and pay for the scooters.
E-scooters are great for the flatter sections of town, but when it comes to big hills (which many of us have on our commutes), e-bikes can really go the distance. Montpelier does not yet have an e-bike ride share program, but they are available at a few local shops.
Onion River Outdoors, a popular bike retailer in Montpelier, sells and rents e-bikes. Owners (and SunCommon customers) Kip and Jen Roberts say that people are coming in looking for a comfortable, urban e-bike with a rack for panniers. A popular goal for their e-bike purchasers is to be able to load up on groceries at the co-op and make it up the hill to their house!
Zoombikes, in East Montpelier, is Vermont’s oldest supplier of electric bikes. Their mission to raise awareness on alternative forms of transportation aligns well with SunCommon’s mission to promote affordable clean energy. So we’ve created a partnership to help save money and the planet — SunCommon customers get a 10 percent discount on the purchase of an Evelo bike through Zoombikes. Evelo offers commuter bikes, mountain bikes, street cruisers, folding bikes, and trikes. Ask us about the discount if you’re interested.
Google Maps makes electric vehicle charging stations easy to find
At SunCommon, a lot of us commute to work in electric-powered vehicles (or EVs)s—we’ve got a big fleet for our staff. Plus we’ve got our own solar-powered fast chargers at work. But outside of work, we’ve got the same challenge as all other EV drivers: where do we charge while on the road?
Google Maps is helping with that challenge. They recently added a search function to their app to help locate charging stations. Simply search for “EV charging stations,” and the locations populate your map.
The Future of Transportation.
E-transportation is exciting, and new options are available all the time; there’s too much to cover right here, so we’ll update you on e-skateboards and motorcycles in a future post. Electric technology is improving quickly, offering more convenience and faster-charging batteries with each new model that comes out. Together, we can ensure a clean and quiet clean energy future with batteries powered by solar!
Want more info on how solar works with your utility?
We build solar systems that work with your utility. That means you can produce more solar than you need all summer long, and use those credits in the winter when your system is producing less energy. You can to enjoy the benefits of on demand energy and zero out your energy costs, swapping your utility bill for a solar payment. Find out more about how solar works by clicking below.
Pairing Solar with Battery Storage Means Energy Security.
At SunCommon, we believe that everyone has the right to a healthy environment and a brighter future – and renewable energy is where it starts. Energy from the sun can power every aspect of our lives – and now we can even store that power as a back-up, and take even more control of where our energy comes from.
When we combine solar power and energy storage, we can power with sunshine during the day and through the night – building a more reliable, resilient energy system for our state. Homes with solar and storage enjoy the reliability of backup power and support a more reliable and efficient grid for their community. When storms hit and the power goes out, your solar and battery work together to keep the essentials of your home running. No more filling the bathtub (and every pot and pan) with water. No more worrying about your pipes freezing – or needing to get to a hotel as the temperatures drop. No more cleaning out a fridge-ful of spoiled food.
Find home storage events near you
Want to learn more about home energy storage?
Click here to read more about how home energy storage works and how to can help you be prepared. It’s good to know that you have energy security when you need it.Homes with solar and storage enjoy the reliability of backup power and support a more reliable and efficient grid for their community.
Why SunCommon Chose to Support the Vermont Foodbank This Season.
This holiday season SunCommon has partnered with the Vermont Foodbank in an effort to progress our own mission – to use our business as a force for good – while supporting that of another organization.
We’ve found kindred spirits at the Vermont Food Bank, another organization focused on addressing global issues while working at a local scale. SunCommon addresses climate change by helping Vermonters make the switch to renewable energy, thereby reducing our impact on our environment. The Foodbank is addressing the vast problem of food insecurity by providing our neighbors around the state struggling with hunger with as much local, healthy food as they can.
1 in 4 Vermonters are facing hunger right now. We hope to use our business to put food on the table for our neighbors this holiday season.
So, How does the Holiday Giving program work?
For every household that checks out solar this holiday season by scheduling a free home assessment, SunCommon is donating $30 – the equivalent of 50 meals – to support families facing food insecurity.
We’ve coordinated with food coops and retail shops around the state to give our community organizers a platform, to talk face-to-face with folks in our communities about the impacts of climate change and food insecurity. And every week, dozens of Vermont families are raising their hands to do their part for the planet and for their neighbors facing hunger.
As a community of more than 5,000 families powered by SunCommon solar systems, our customers are also pledging to support this effort by sharing the news of our efforts with their friends, families, and neighbors, or simply by making a direct donation to the Foodbank.
Thanks to some of our partners in this work:
Want to Check Out Solar and Help Fight Hunger?
We believe that everyone has the right to a healthy environment and brighter future. At SunCommon, we strive to address the challenge of climate change. The Vermont Foodbank tackles the challenge of food insecurity. Two great organizations doing our bit.
SunCommon and the Pointe of Praise church are growing solar in the Hudson Valley.
The Community Solar Array at the Pointe of Praise Church in Kingston has helped over 100 local homes go solar. If Central Hudson is your utility company and you want to go solar but not at your home, then Community Solar is the perfect solution for you.
This CSA is currently full. But, occasionally members move outside of the Central Hudson service territory and a space will open up. Add your name to the waitlist and we’ll reach out when we have a spot available!
A new solar option for New York
The Pointe of Praise church in Kingston strives to improve the lives of its community members, and that fits right in with our thinking at SunCommon.
Community Solar Arrays (CSAs) are your local solar farm co-op. When you buy into a CSA, you have all the benefits of owning a solar array for your home without installing anything on your roof.
“We at Pointe of Praise Family Life Center believe that God created this good earth that we dwell on, and He has commissioned man to be responsible and take care of it.
In fulfilling this obligation, we’ve asked SunCommon to build a Community Solar Array on our property in Kingston, NY.
This will provide citizens of all economic standings access to solar power without having to install it on their own properties.
NY State has set a goal to have 50% of our energy come from renewable sources by 2030. We are proud to be partners in making this happen.”
— Reverend James Childs
Pointe of Praise Family Life Center
Here’s How Community Solar Works
Members of a CSA use solar credits produced by that array to reduce or eliminate their utility bill. The only requirement to become a member of a Community Solar Array is that you must live within the same utility load zone as the array. Since most utility load zones span counties, towns, and zip codes, our Solar Advisors can help determine which array you would belong to.
Is Community Solar The Right Option For Me?
- Out of sight, out of mind: Going green is now as simple as seeing solar credits on your utility bill!
- Plan on moving soon? Community Solar is a flexible option
- Community Solar is sited for maximum sun hours, so there’s no need to worry about shade from surrounding trees
- Easily cover 100% of your home’s electric usage without worrying about space constraints
In this CSA, you own your panels.
- Own your solar panels
- Maximum savings
- Receive the tax credits available
Ask if joining a CSA is right for you
866-452-7652
Want to learn more about how Community Solar works?
For information on how community solar works in general, you can visit our Community Solar page by clicking on the button below. There you will find helpful information on how to become a CSA member, how CSAs actually work, and more. If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact us directly.