Research Articles: Community Clean Energy Programs: Proficiencies and Practices

Abstract

One of the consequences of state utility energy efficiency and renewable energy policies has been the expansion of clean energy programs conducted by local, nonprofit community organizations. These programs seek to increase deployment of renewable energy facilities on consumers' premises and reduce the amount of energy used by consumers. The success of community programs depends on the capabilities of the organizations implementing the programs. Managers of six large community-based clean energy programs in Arizona were interviewed regarding organizational capabilities related to carrying out clean energy programs. The Arizona organizations have developed proficiencies in education, recruitment, problem solving, coordination among parties, and innovation. Clean energy programs of the community organizations interviewed for this study are centered around trust, empowerment of stakeholders, partnerships, and social networks to recruit participants and volunteers and to learn about what other organizations are doing.

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by a grant from Edwards Mother Earth Foundation. The author thanks the managers of clean energy programs who generously took the time to be interviewed for this study and Amanda Ormond, who provided comments on an earlier draft. In addition, several anonymous referees provided helpful advice. The findings and interpretations reported in this article are those of the author.