Vote Solar: Building a Clean Energy Future

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Since 2002, the nonprofit organization Vote Solar has been working at the state level to propel the transition to a 100% clean energy future for all. Through a solutions-driven, people-first approach, Vote Solar is committed to making as many local clean energy resources available as possible. 

Together with partners in local communities, Vote Solar is expanding solar access and lowering solar costs. Vote Solar currently works in 25 states across the U.S., including the West and Southeast. The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation has granted $255,000 to Vote Solar to support its vision of working toward a clean-powered future that supports the needs, health and well-being of everyone in the United States. 

Clean Energy Benefits & Impact 

Sachu Constantine, Executive Director of Vote Solar, is a leading national expert in the regulatory landscape for solar. In a recent Q&A, he shared some insights on the organization’s approach and the benefits of clean energy. 

Q: Vote Solar’s mission is to realize a 100% clean energy future. What does that future look like, and how do you see solar energy leading the way? 

A: A 100% clean energy future is one where every household, regardless of income or zip code, has access to affordable, reliable and renewable power. It’s a future where our energy system prioritizes people and becomes a tool for community empowerment and resilience. Solar energy is central to that vision. Locally generated, affordable solar power brings greater stability, sustainability and self-reliance to communities, as well as to the electric grid itself. This unique opportunity creates a power shift, both literally and figuratively, into the hands of communities. Solar can simultaneously support grid resilience, reduce energy burdens and create local economic opportunities. 

Q: How does your people-first approach shape the way you advocate for clean energy? 

A: We center people in our work primarily because energy decisions affect everyday lives. Utility bills are pressing and personal decisions. Our goal is that communities see the benefits of local solar firsthand – lower energy bills, new jobs and cleaner air. Solar solutions work best when they’re designed with and for the people they serve, which is why the clean energy transition can’t happen at the pace or scale we need unless communities have a real voice in shaping that future. Whether it’s through their investment dollars, the shared use of rooftops, community spaces and agricultural land, or the impact of collective advocacy, it is people working in collaboration with institutions that will accelerate solar deployment in the most affordable and equitable way possible. That’s why we work in partnership with those most impacted, ensuring they have a real say in shaping policies that directly affect them. Whether we’re fighting for community solar access or opposing unjust rate hikes, we keep the focus on real-life outcomes – lower bills, healthier neighborhoods, cleaner air and good jobs. 

Q: How do you measure success in your work, both in terms of energy outcomes and community impact? 

A: We measure success through both the scale of clean energy deployment and the depth of community impact. On the energy front, our work has helped transform solar from an expensive, niche technology into the fastest-growing, most cost-effective source of new electricity in the country. Since 2022, our advocacy has supported demand for nearly 86,500 megawatts of solar and prevented 105 million tons of carbon pollution. We also define success by how accessible those benefits are. That means expanding access to solar for low-income households, advancing policies that reduce energy burdens, supporting local workforce development and ensuring that frontline communities are centered in decision-making.  

Q: How do you collaborate with community-based organizations? 

A: We show up as partners, offering technical, policy and regulatory expertise to support community-driven solutions. Our goal is to help amplify the priorities of local organizations that know their communities best, while increasing access to affordable solar solutions. 

Q: What is one thing you wish more people knew about solar energy? 

A: I wish more people knew just how transformative and flexible solar can be, especially when guided by smart, intentional policy. It’s not just a technology; it’s a tool for healthier communities and greater local economic opportunity. Solar delivers real, everyday benefits. The more people experience those benefits firsthand, the more momentum we build toward an energy future that truly works for everyone. 

This grant to Vote Solar supports the foundation’s Energy strategy, which aims to accelerate the deployment of clean electricity and its positive effects on people’s lives in the West and Southeast. To learn more about the foundation’s environment grantee partners and stories of impact, click here.