Perch Energy

Many people think if they rent their home they can't access the benefits of solar power. In this article for Forbes by Terri Williams, our President & CEO Bruce Stewart addresses this misconception by educating readers on community solar; one of the easiest ways anyone can support the clean energy transition and receive utility bill discounts for supporting the cause. Check it out at https://lnkd.in/gp_jzwXu

Perch Energy CEO Bruce Stewart spoke with Reporter Elena Casas-Montanez at Reuters about community solar as an emerging contender in the clean energy transition. Community solar is a more accessible form of renewable power that allows more people participate in the switch to renewable energy and receive a reduction in their electricity bills. In 2023, community solar accounted for 7.3 GW of power generation across the country, with a goal of 30 GW online by 2030. With a vast majority of new electricity generation today originating from renewable sources, state programs and developers have been getting creative with where we put panels, whether they're co-located with working farms, on large rooftops, or over brownfield sites. Wherever these solar farms are, they're an important part of addressing climate change through the ramp up in renewable energy production—and they're doing it in a more equitable way. #communitysolar #renewables #climate #solar #sustainability #cleanenergy #energyequity

Perch is thrilled to welcome Russ Main as our new Chief Financial Officer to help lead us into our next phase of growth and profitability! We are equally excited to announce current Percher Jeff Battles as our new SVP of Technology, a role in which he’ll continue to build upon and drive our already best-in-class suite of technology services and applications for our customers, clients, and partners.

We're glad that community solar programs like New York's let us bring the meaningful savings to affordable housing residents like we're doing now with our enrollment campaign in NYC with Nuveen, a TIAA company. But not every state, or even federal community solar policy, allows community solar's cost savings to be accessed to those in all kinds of affordable housing—notably the population that these policies were designed to help most through the energy transition. In this article in Solar Power World, Perch's CEO Bruce Stewart argues that the states and the federal government must open the gate and allow all types of affordable housing, specifically master-metered, to access the benefits that are available to tens of thousands already. Until master-metered complexes are included, Perch will continue to advocate for better community solar access for these communities, particularly because their energy bills get as high as 14% of that household's income. For energy burdened households, the benefit community solar offers is substantial. #communitysolar #climate #energy #affordablehousing #environmentaljustice #cleanenergy #renewables #solar #accessibility

"We need programs that clearly benefit the disadvantaged populations they are designed to help, and we must align with existing customer expectations of a subscription experience. UCB achieves both those aims." In this article from North American Clean Energy, Perch Energy CEO Bruce Stewart and VP of Policy Georgina Arreola dissect how utility-consolidated billing (UCB) will make community solar a more standardized, accessible, and equitable program for all households. We can't expect every community solar subscriber to be an expert in solar policy. That's why we need policymakers to utilize UCB to make the energy transition accessible. #communitysolar #equitableenergy #renewables #climate #solar #cleanenergy

Following the debut of our NYC affordable housing campaign with Nuveen, a TIAA company, our CEO Bruce Stewart had the chance to speak with Reporter Emily Swanson of the Bronx Times to discuss what community solar means for the people living at the four Section 8 Nuveen properties it’s being offered at in the borough. In the piece, Bruce summarizes our combined mission with Nuveen perfectly - “This effort will bring at least one bill down for working families, especially at a time when the cost of everything else is rising.” #communitysolar #nyc #bronx #climate #affordablehousing #cleanenergy #renewables #solar #section8 #equitableenergy

In a June study from the Berkeley Lab and National Renewable Energy Laboratory, researchers were able to confirm some of what we know about community solar and provide insight into low-income customer perceptions and habits. On one hand, the study reaffirms that community solar increases clean energy access. The study found that across 11 states and 75k community solar subscribers and 100k rooftop solar adopters, that those adopting community solar are over 6 times as likely to live in multifamily complexes, more than 4 times more likely to rent, and earn 23% less than rooftop solar households—not necessarily surprising, but a valuable thing to have a number on. But there's still an access and trust gap that we're working to bridge. Low-income communities, particularly minority communities, have been burned in the past by less than truthful energy offerings. That fact is evident in the study as it identified that minority communities aren't more likely to adopt community solar over rooftop—yet. Trust is earned in drops and lost in buckets, which is why Perch is focused on leading with education and building confidence in community solar with our customers,  especially with the affordable housing communities we serve. By doing that, we'll move the needle and make community solar the truly accessible option for all. #communitysolar #renewables #solar #cleanenergy #climate

When we announced our Series B investment from Nuveen, a TIAA company, we shared a clear vision of bringing community solar to their vast portfolio of affordable and multifamily housing units—in a seamless and easy way which would bring energy bill savings to their residents.   This New York campaign is a shining example of that strategy coming to life—and helping get #communitysolar savings into the pockets of lower-income families who’ve been unable to participate in the clean energy economy. As a key partner to #solardevelopers and asset owners, Perch will continue to expand access to our housing portfolio partners to makes us even stronger to deliver customers for our client's community solar projects.   #solar #solarindustry #solarprojects #renewableenergy #solarassets #communitysolarsavings #electricitysavings #affordablehousing #realestateinvestment

We were thrilled to sponsor the Coalition for Community Solar Access's inaugural Community Solar Innovation Summit in Denver! An event like this is a great opportunity to meet people from a wide swath of the community solar industry! As intrepid as our staff at the event are, we wanted to introduce the conference to some more of our colleagues and partners who help make Perch the reliable partner you know us to be. Click on the video to meet some Perchers! #communitysolar #renewables #climate #gridresilience #solar #cleanenergy

Many, if not most states are increasingly prioritizing the inclusion of LMI households in their community solar programs—but that's easier said than done. That's why VP of Policy Georgina Arreola will be speaking about on the panel at the Strategies and Best Practices to Increase Community Solar Adoption Among LMI Households on June 13th at 3:40pm at Coalition for Community Solar Access's 2024 Community Solar Innovation Summit in Denver! Be sure to find her and the other esteemed panelists in the Colorado Ballroom to learn how we can best bring community to underserved communities! #CommunitySolarSummit #renewables #communitysolar #CO #Denver #cleanenergy #climate #solar