Improving Community Solar

Student: Declan Kerwin, 2020-2021

Neighborhood Sun is a community solar energy provider based in Maryland that seeks to make clean energy affordable for everyone. Solar has historically been a relatively expensive energy option, with rooftop systems often costing $10,000 or more. Community solar offers the benefits of solar power at a lower cost than traditional utility providers and with no installation fees. As part of Neighborhood Sun’s expansion plans, I will be helping the company become a Retail Electric Provider (REP) in several states and launch a customer relationship management (CRM) software platform. As an REP, the company will be able to simplify its billing process, access customers outside of the limited areas it currently works in, and maximize revenue without charging customers more. The CRM software will streamline interactions between developers, customers, and managers, and it will be white-labeled and sold to other community solar companies using a software as a service (SaaS) model.