680: Best practices for Community engagement from Solstice Co-founder, Sandhya Murali

Community solar has proven a viable pathway to more affordable and equitable clean energy, but how do developers overcome one of the main hurdles to the project’s success - community engagement? Founded with a commitment to making solar energy accessible to all, Solstice has become a key player in community solar, especially in the US Northeast, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and education in expanding renewable energy access. In this episode, Sandhya Murali, Co-founder & COO of Solstice, outlines the company’s strategic decisions and cultural values that have yielded broad success as a community solar pioneer. She delves into how Solstice:Cultivates community trust and broadens solar participation through education and transparent communication.Implements strategic marketing to nurture long-term community relationships.Empowers communities through sustainable energy, whether it be homeowners, renters, businesses, nonprofits, or others. Listeners can also expect to uncover:How economic incentives that circulate through communities can encourage many others to transition to renewable energy Solstice’s proactive approach to engaging with communities in the early stages of solar projectsThe dedication developers must have to engage with the community they are building with to foster a long-term relationship and support for the mission This episode offers an in-depth look at how adhering to core values and focusing on community engagement can drive long-term success in community solar and beyond.If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalusMentioned in this episode:CPS July 2024 V2