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.
Investor Case Study
Community Impact Group investor Dr. Norm Levy at the project he funded, Starlake Solar in Norwich, Vermont.
Profiles of one of our investors in:
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 [...]
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.