Bringing Solar Stories to Capitol Hill

By going solar with RE-volv, over 135 nonprofit partners nationwide are able to better serve over 380,000 Americans. Using energy savings, they can provide more to their communities – more access to stable housing, more food security, and more education.

At the end of June, RE-volv was thrilled to join the Invest In Our Future (IOF) Congressional Fly-In to amplify these benefits of solar. Federal decision-makers need to hear real stories in their districts to continue investing in community-driven clean energy initiatives. While a summer storm unfortunately grounded RE-volv’s Communications and Impact Marketing Manager, Tierney Sheehan (climate change at work!), our nonprofit partners from West Philadelphia led the charge on Capitol Hill.

Nathan and Rodney helped YEAH Philly go solar last fall. The organization is a Black-led youth empowerment hub, serving teens and young adults ages 15 to 24 who have been impacted by violence. By installing a 12 kW solar array, YEAH Philly will save $85K on utility bills over the system’s lifetime and reinvest energy savings into their programming – keeping young people out of the legal system and out of the streets.

The YEAH Philly project was a collaboration between RE-volv, GreenBrilliance, and the Good Energy Collaborative. Nathan represented the Good Energy Collaborative from Swarthmore College, while Rodney Gardner represented YEAH Philly, pulling from his experiences as a community organizer and a formerly incarcerated youth at the meetings.

We sat down with Rodney and Nathan to discuss their experience on the Hill. Check out our conversation below:

RE-volv: What about the IOF Fly-In made you feel the most inspired or connected?

Nathan: As a college student learning about how dirty energy sources are continually harming communities across the globe, I feel daunted by the social-political-economic task ahead of us. But during the fly-in, I was inspired by the sheer number of participants plus the diversity of their advocacy.

Rodney: I was so inspired by the thought of all the connections I was about to make and the knowledge I was about to gain, as well as the knowledge I planned to share!

Nathan: Another piece was how receptive the congresspeople were toward the community-centered solar education/installation work I do with the Good Energy Collaborative.

RE-volv: How has this event shaped your perspective on the importance of nonprofits engaging in clean energy advocacy?

Rodney: This event reinforced my belief that nonprofits play a critical role in clean energy advocacy because they often serve as a bridge between communities, policymakers and industry leaders. Seeing the discussions and challenges firsthand showed me that advancing clean energy is not just a technical issue but also a matter of public awareness, equity, and community engagement.

Nathan: Hearing from other people engaged in various niches of clean energy implementation and advocacy taught me that large-scale renewables investment doesn’t always filter down, so nonprofits must fill in when communities are left out of the sustainability revolution.

Rodney: Nonprofits can amplify the voices of those most affected by energy decisions, provide education, and advocate for policies that promote sustainable and affordable energy solutions. As a result, I now have a greater appreciation for the importance of nonprofit involvement in shaping a cleaner and more equitable energy future.

Discover how YEAH Philly is powering their community through solar energy. Watch their story and learn more about this youth-led clean energy movement.