Renewable resources are essential to achieve our goal of energy independence and resilience in the face of a changing climate. While many of us support the move toward energy sources such as wind and solar, we might not own our homes or be in a position to put up some solar panels ourselves. The good news is that we don’t need to own a home to support the solar movement.
Check out these six ways you can support solar and help us all go renewable.
Be informed
It’s the first step to any major movement: educating ourselves. You can make a difference without spending a dime by keeping yourself informed and then informing others in turn. Who knows, you might just talk someone into getting a couple of panels themselves. If you’re looking to educate yourself, check out these resources:
What Is Solar Energy & How Does it Work? – EcoWatch
Where to Buy Solar Panels: 2022 Solar Purchasing Guide – EcoWatch
Federal Solar Tax Credit: How Much Will You Get Back? (2022) (ecowatch.com)
Patronize solar businesses
While you might not have solar panels yourself, you can help the people and businesses that do. Enjoy brunch at the restaurant with panels or give your financial business to a bank that supports solar energy. These include Connecticut Green Bank, NY Green Bank, California Lending for Energy and Environmental Needs, Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank, Montgomery County Green Bank (Maryland), and Hawaii Green Energy Market Securitization.
Talk to your friends and people you know
Remember when we said you never know who you might convince? Well, just by keeping in touch with your friends and family and being honest and vocal, you could change someone’s mind just by relaying simple information about tax credits or about how much another friend of yours saved on their electric bill after they installed their panels.
Get involved with solar in your community
You don’t have to advocate for purely private solar production. You could roll up your sleeves and join a community solar effort. Community solar refers to shared solar power between homeowners, renters, businesses, etc. See if there’s a community solar project already in the works near you!
Contact your local representative about solar
Business and legislation can’t do all the work for us. The beauty of a democracy is all of us getting involved and persuading our representatives to vote yes on solar initiatives and renewable energy. Stay informed about local solar measures, and make sure to contact your representative. You can also get involved with groups like SUN that organize on behalf of the citizens. Check out this petition right here for the 30 Million Solar Homes campaign.
Get involved in solar advocacy
Trying to make change happen can feel impossible on our own. Together we are stronger, and in a solar advocacy group, you’re likely to see some fruits of your labor as these groups monitor progress across the country as well as provide you with resources such as education, objectives and initiatives, solar businesses, and how to inform others. If you’re looking for a good place to start your solar advocacy, check out Solar Power Advocacy Network.
