This document discusses the need to promote solar energy in communities of color by addressing misinformation, lobbying power imbalances, and lack of diversity in the solar industry. It recommends ways the Solar Energy Industries Association can help, such as partnering with historically black colleges and universities, placing op-eds in publications targeting communities of color, and continuing to engage community leaders. The goal is to ensure communities of all backgrounds and incomes benefit from the transition to clean energy.

1. FIGHTING FOR A GREEN
FUTURE IN
COMMUNITIES OF
COLOR
ALEXIS CURETON, SEIA COMMUNICATIONS INTERN 2015-2016

2. SETTING THE PRECEDENT
DR. ROBERT BULLARD JACQUELINE PATTERSON

3. IS IT A QUESTION OF EQUITY OR EQUALITY?
POINTS OF INQUIRY
• Jobs
• Consumer and customer education
• Sound Leadership

4. CURRENT SOLAR BOOM!
CONTINUOUS QUARTERLY
GROWTH

5. WE CARE ABOUT GREEN
ENERGY
• Climate Change
• Clean Energy
• Policy Change

6. MISINFORMATION AND
COERCED LEADERSHIP
• “Solar energy is only for affluent
white males”
• “Communities of color and low
income are subsidizing those
installing solar energy”
• “Home heating bills will skyrocket
for communities of solar”

7. LOBBYING POWERS AND
ISSUES BEING DECIDED BY IT
EEI
BCC
C
B
C
A
A
B
E
Waxman-Markey Climate Bill (2009)
American Clean Energy and Security Act (2009)
American Power Act of 2010 (2010)
Net Metering (Current)

8. STILL THE SUN RISES
The Clean
Energy Savings
for All Initiative
(2016)

9. HOW SEIA CAN HELP!
• Continuing the growth of the “Community Engagement Committee”
• Pitch op-eds in urban magazines
(Vibe, Essence, Black Enterprise Magazine, College and University publications)
• Build professional relationships with student and administrative leaders at HBCUs
(Howard University, Bowie State University, Morgan State University, Hampton
University)

10. THANK YOU! QUESTIONS

11. WORKS CITED
• http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/24/solar-energy-black-
caucus_n_6039290.html
• https://www.facingsouth.org/2015/04/duke-energy-called-out-for-targeting-
black-communi.html
• http://www.thesolarfoundation.org/policy-research/
• http://solarstates.org/#states/sector/installation