About us

Solar Austin is a nonprofit organization committed to diveristy, equity, and inclusion, ensuring the benefits of clean energy reach all of Austin, ever since 2002.

Our mission

Solar Austin’s mission is to accelerate the transition to clean, renewable energy in Central Texas and expand everyone’s access to the benefits of solar energy to mitigate climate change while creating a healthy community and supporting a strong local economy.

Client listening to Solar Austin speech

Our approach

We advance the clean energy transition by:

  • Providing community connections.
  • Facilitating donated solar installations.
  • Advocating for robust solar policies and programs.

PV projects

Two people installing solar panels on a roof

Solar Austin offers donated solar energy installations to local nonprofits as best we can. We also assist Austinites interested in purchasing or hosting a solar energy system at their property by providing information about local programs and incentives and answering questions about proposals from solar companies.

Policy

A person speaking holding a mike

Solar Austin works to expand and improve local solar policies and programs run by Austin Energy and other local utilities. We work collaboratively with utility staff and also advocate at the Austin City Council to achieve the best possible outcomes for the Austin community.

Events

A man and a child trying to fix a solar panel

Solar Austin promotes a healthy solar industry by creating and sharing fun and educational community-building events such as happy hours, solar tours, and events from other like-minded organisations. We aim to provide a space where neighbours can connect with the local solar industry.

Our board of directors

Juan Afanador
Juan Afanador

President

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Kaiba White
Kaiba White

Vice President

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Terrence O'Connor
Terrence O'Connor

Treasurer

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Leslie Libby
Leslie Libby

Secretary

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Emma Pabst
Emma Pabst
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Stan Pipkin
Stan Pipkin
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Kenneth Thompson
Kenneth Thompson
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Our story

2002
  • Established as an informal group to advocate for a solar incentive program at Austin Energy.
2003
  • Formal incorporation as a nonprofit.
  • Established the Austin Energy solar incentive program.
2005 - 2010
  • Extended Austin Energy’s solar incentive program.
  • Participated in SXSW Eco Showcase.
2012
2014
  • Co-Hosted Briefing and Forums for Austin Mayoral and City Council Candidates and Published Scored Responses on Energy issues.
2015
  • Co-Hosted the Bastrop Solar Tour.
  • Advocated for Shared Solar for multifamily properties.
  • Advocated improvements to low-income element of Austin Energy Community Solar program.
2016
  • Contributed to Austin Energy's Solar Education course to provide greater customer protection.
  • Co-Hosted Bluebonnet Solar Tour.
2017
  • Advocated for Austin Energy to implement a low-income solar incentive.
  • Co-Hosted Bluebonnet Solar Tour.
2018
  • Contributed to the methodology for Austin Energy Commercial Value of Solar tariff.
  • Donated solar installation at Community First Village.
  • Austin Energy launched Community Solar program with low-income discount.
  • Austin Energy piloted Shared Solar for affordable housing multifamily properties, with added incentives.
  • Co-Hosted Bluebonnet Solar Tour.
2019
  • Awarded grant by the City of Austin for Equitable Clean Energy Jobs.
  • Co-Hosted Bluebonnet Solar Tour.
2020
  • Evolved Equitable Clean Energy jobs to Pathways to Clean Energy Careers Program.
  • Expanded our educational programs to solar youth.
2020-2021
  • Evolved to virtual happy hours (Check them out on Youtube)
  • Expanded our DEI training program for companies in partnership with Huston-Tillotson University.
2022
  • Hired Tatianna Cannon as our first executive director.
  • Donated solar installation at The Children’s Haven.
  • Educated middle and high school students on solar energy careers.
  • Pitched Austin Energy the idea of creating a Solar Standard Offer for local solar.
  • Austin Energy Shared Solar for multifamily properties opened to all customers.
2023
  • Donated solar installation at East Knight House.
2024
  • Austin Energy Solar Standard Offer launched.

Previous presidents

Juan Afanador (2024 – present)

Tricia Jackson (2024)

Rachel Stone (2022-2024)

Kaiba White (2014  – 2022)

Charlie Hemmeline (2012-2014)

Audrey Thompson (2010-2012)

Clay Butler (2006-2010)

Mike Sloan (2002-2006)

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