Community Impact Group

Our Community Impact Group connects mission-driven investors to low-income and other underserved communities throughout Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

Investing in Local Nonprofits

Norwich Solar has announced the launch of their new Community Impact Group focused on serving low-income residents, local non-profits, and business startups.

Traditional community solar projects work in two ways:

  • Direct ownership – where customers buy part of a solar array as an investment, or
  • Power purchase – where solar investors buy a community solar array and sell the electricity credits at a discount to residential customers, non-profits, or businesses that pass traditional credit requirements.

In contrast, NST’s Community Impact Group allows local investors to own community solar projects that expand participation to low-income residents, small non-profits, and start-up businesses while allowing investors to use their tax liability to make positive economic and environmental returns.

The Group will link mission-minded investors with high-impact projects. Projects that can generate broad benefits to the community such as economic development and greenhouse gas reduction will additionally guide project selection. The Group has a 2019 target to finance $2.5M of nontraditional ventures, primarily focused on solar projects that can significantly lower electric bills of these underserved communities.

Dr. Norm Levy at Starlake Solar

Investor Case Study

Community Impact Group investor Dr. Norm Levy at the project he funded, Starlake Solar in Norwich, Vermont.

Customer Testimonials

“The fund is helping our nonprofit achieve its long sought-after goal of going solar—but with no capital investment.”

Charlie R.

“We plan to use the savings on our electricity costs to broaden services to the community and bolster our workforce.”

Kirk P.

“The project is not only a sound environmental and business decision; it will also free up critical funds to keep our workforce strong.”

Mary M.

Recent Projects

Lucille Plans Her Legacy With Solar

When Lucille Oaks decided to move from her home of 65 years into a nearby independent living community, she wanted [...]

Randolph Area Community Development Corp.

About the Randolph Area Community Development Corporation  Randolph Area Community Development Corporation (RACDC) is a nonprofit organization that unites the community [...]

Hartford, VT Public Safety

Project Summary Developed by a combination of public and private organizations and individuals, this solar project on the Town of [...]

“These first projects have been such a great success, we felt it was important to promote this idea to create an even bigger impact. We feel there is a much bigger potential and desire for local individuals to support clean energy projects that measurably create benefits in their community.”
Jim Merriam CEO
“In rural states like Vermont and New Hampshire, the cost of necessities like transportation and heating can be crippling. The transportation and heating sectors are also our largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. Our goal in 2020 is to develop projects that address those two sectors and begin to really broaden the impact for communities.“
Jim Merriam CEO

Learn More About Our Community Impact Group

While the Group is primarily focused on solar projects in 2019, the longer-term goal is addressing the “energy burden” transportation and housing put on low-income individuals and our environment. Low-income households suffer a disproportionate energy burden, defined as the percentage of gross household income spent on energy costs.

This new Group builds off Norwich Solar’s deep experience in supplying solar to schools, towns, businesses, and non-profits. Norwich Solar co-founder Troy McBride will oversee the Group, aligning investors with projects.

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