SOL PURPOSE
At Sol Systems, we work with our clients and partners to accelerate the transition to a clean energy future and invest in local communities. This newsletter shares our vision, approach, and partnerships with community organizations working toward an inclusive and sustainable energy future. You'll also find updates on events, webinars, and articles focused on advancing a clean energy economy that includes all communities.
Infrastructure + Impact Spotlight: Welcome to Saline County, IL
Meet Our New Community Impact Partners
We are excited to announce the first group of community partners in Saline County, Illinois, home of our Eldorado Solar project.
These partnerships build on the foundation set in 2021, when we announced our first power purchase agreement partnership--one of the country’s largest--with a groundbreaking strategy to fund investments that bolster the community, environmental, and social impact over the lifecycle of solar energy projects. As part of that agreement, Sol Systems (Sol) committed to engaging with and investing in organizations that are trusted in their communities to implement initiatives that are tailored to specifically benefit under-invested communities and enable their participation in building America’s energy future.
Since then, we have funded multiple organizations in both rural and urban communities across the U.S. Eastern Seaboard, including Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Appalachia, and Washington D.C. The funding empowered these communities to provide energy efficiency and home repair programs, solar-plus-storage community resilience hubs, foundational job training, education, and wrap-around support service. Sustained by the successes and lessons learned to date, as our solar projects become commercially operational, we focus on investing in the communities where our projects are based. In Saline County, Illinois, we are proud to partner with local groups that share our commitment to community focusing on resilience and sustainable growth.
Partner Spotlight: Florida Atlantic University Pine Jog
FAU Pine Jog Environmental Education Center (FAU Pine Jog), a self-funded division of the College of Education of Florida Atlantic University (FAU), was one of the first environmental education centers in Florida and one of the oldest in the country. For 65 years, FAU Pine Jog has been operating to develop, research, and disseminate educational programs and services that cultivate environmentally literate and engaged communities. The center serves as a hub for connecting people of all ages to environmental education, stewardship, and real-world E-STEM opportunities through partnerships with scientists, researchers, educators, agencies, NGOs, and GOs at the local, regional, state, and national levels.
Through a recent collaboration between Sol Systems (Sol) and REI, FAU Pine Jog is enhancing youth exposure to sustainability and climate resilience education by connecting students with scientists currently working in environmental research. This partnership supports community engagement in sustainability, climate resilience, and renewable energy education while developing the knowledge, awareness, and skills needed to protect and help restore local ecosystems. Resilience, health, and access to recreation are all integral components of the overall collaboration.
FAU Pine Jog will engage students through two key programs:
- CLIMATE READY: An innovative, residential dual-enrollment program that empowers high school students to become informed advocates for climate resilience in their communities.
- H2O TO GO: A residential research program that introduces students to scientists tackling South Florida’s environmental challenges, with a focus on the complexity of local water systems.
Each group of students from Climate READY and H20 to Go will attend a week-long residential Institute at Florida Atlantic University. Students gain hands-on experience in scientific data collection and access to current research focused on addressing Florida’s environmental challenges. These programs cultivate the skills they need to become community ambassadors and contribute to local climate resilience efforts. Students can also earn dual-enrollment credits from Florida Atlantic University’s College of Education and are provided with service-learning opportunities through participation.
In addition to academic enrichment, FAU Pine Jog’s programs emphasize wraparound support, ensuring long-term socio-economic and environmental impact. Their commitment to long-term community benefit aligns with Sol Systems’ “Infrastructure + Impact” strategy.
Sol Systems is proud to support and collaborate with organizations like FAU Pine Jog that share our mission to drive meaningful environmental and societal impact in the communities where we work.
Announcements and News
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Join us for From Learning to Leadership: Building America's Clean Energy Future Through STEM Education as we discuss examples of funding and program opportunities that can help increase youth exposure to renewable energy education through the implementation of STEM programs focusing on collaboration with university extension for 4-H.
What We're Reading
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Illinois’ push to train workers for solar industry jobs is paying off
Canary Media
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Study Looks at Impact of Wraparound Services for Low-Income College Students
Nonprofit Quarterly
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Weathering the Storm Together: Community Resiliency Hubs Hold the Promise of Local Self-Sufficiency and Supportive Mutual Aid
The Daily Yonder