At Solar United Neighbors, we’re a passionate team of solar organizers, educators, communicators, and policy and technology experts. We are neighbors and organizers, united in the mission to build an energy system that is fair, sustainable, and works for everyone. Our hands-on, state-based training programs empower individuals, organizations, and communities to engage in the critical work of energy justice.
Our free training programs are tailored to meet the unique needs of each state while building a collective understanding of the power of energy democracy and providing practical tools for action. These programs are designed for nonprofit staff, community-based organizations (CBOs), and community leaders who are ready to learn, grow, and take action to make the energy transition more just and equitable.
Training topics
Understanding the energy system
Energy justice and the Just Transition
Energy policies and programs
Energy democracy and you!
Ready to get involved?
By joining our programs, you’ll be part of a growing movement of energy justice champions who are working together to ensure that the future of energy is democratic, sustainable, and equitable.
Our energy champion training program includes:
Virtual live sessions led by experts in the field
Opportunities to network with fellow advocates
Access to online resources to further enhance your learning
Apply today and take the first step toward building a better, more just energy system in your state!
This training program is ideal for those looking to lead energy justice efforts in their communities or workplace, empowering participants to become the next generation of advocates working to transform the energy landscape.
Our energy champion training program will train non-profit and CBO staff and community leaders on how the energy system works, the importance of energy justice, and how to identify opportunities to actively participate in clean energy decisions and projects that impact the communities they represent. The goal is for participants to leave with a deeper intersectional understanding of the just energy transition and how to be an effective advocate for energy justice. The curriculum will take on a train-the-trainer model to catalyze more energy justice champions to take action in Massachusetts. It is designed for five virtual 2-hour sessions.
Objectives:
Getting to know who is in the room
Overview of the history of the energy system
Understanding the various sources of energy
Understand how energy is managed and distributed
Objectives:
Apply a lens of energy justice to these policies – are they reaching the most vulnerable communities
Gain an understanding of the energy landscape in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Introduction to current energy policies and programs that assist Massachusetts residents
Objectives:
Overview of the History of Environmental Justice
Understand the Elements of a Just Transition
Defining Challenges and Opportunities to the Just Transition
Objectives:
Learn methods of advocacy specific to energy
Understand the principles of energy democracy
Gain insight into existing networks of energy justice coalitions
The Energy Champions is a community education series for Ohio residents that is delivered in two series. Each series includes 4 classes (1 per month) on different energy related topics for a total of 8 classes.This curriculum is designed to educate participants on the basics of the energy system as well as the importance of energy justice and energy democracy in Ohio. The goal is for participants to leave with a deeper intersectional understanding of the just energy transition and how to be an effective advocate for energy democracy. This training is being facilitated by SUN staff and our partners at Ohio Clean Climate and Energy Coalition, specifically Black Achievers and the Ohio Environmental Council.
Ohio Series 1
This program is designed for Ohio residents who want to better understand how energy systems work, how to understand their energy bill and make changes that help save them money.
Objective:
Understand how Ohio’s electric grid operates and how it is evolving to meet today’s energy goals
Topics covered:
Where does energy come from
Connection between daily energy use and broader infrastructure
Overview of the electric grid
Objective: Learn to interpret electricity bill to understand how energy costs are calculated
Topics Covered:
Breakdown of each section in the utility bill such as usage, delivery charges, taxes, and fees
Objective:
Discover simple and effective ways to make your home more energy efficient and reduce utility expenses.
Topics Covered:
Weatherization and appliance upgrades
Home energy efficiency tips and tools
Objective: Explore how community collaboration and advocacy can influence energy policies and promote affordable, equitable access to clean energy.
Topics Covered:
Community energy planning and advocacy
Policy engagement and public participation
Energy justice and equitable access to clean, affordable power
Ohio Series 2:
This program is designed for Ohio residents who want to better understand how energy systems work, how policy decisions affect their communities, and how to become more effective advocates for affordable, equitable clean energy.
Objective:
Participants will explore the origins and evolution of the Energy Justice movement, specifically how it intersects with Environmental and Climate Justice. Participants will analyze the “four pillars” framework to understand how to apply equitable solutions to modern energy systems.
Topics Covered:
The Intersection: Defining Energy Justice within the broader context of Environmental and Climate Justice.
The History: Investigating the “where, why, and how” of the movement’s emergence.
The Framework: A deep dive into the four pillars (Distributive, Procedural, Recognition, and Restorative Justice) and why they are essential for equitable policy-making.
Objective: Participants will explore the concept of a Just Transition and what it means to move from a fossil-fuel-dependent, extractive energy system to a clean, community-centered energy future, without leaving workers, frontline communities, or legacy energy regions behind. This session will ground the Just Transition in real-world examples and highlight pathways that prioritize equity, accountability, and shared benefits.
Topics Covered:
Defining the Just Transition: What the Just Transition is, where the concept comes from, and why it is essential to achieving energy justice and climate solutions.
Rethinking Energy Development: New approaches to utility-scale development that reduce harm and increase community benefit, including agrivoltaics and responsible utility-scale solar siting.
Honoring Legacy Energy Communities: How Just Transition principles can support workers and communities historically tied to fossil fuel industries, with examples of place-based transition efforts and lived experience.
Looking Ahead: An introduction to Energy Democracy as a critical pillar of the Just Transition, setting the stage for the next session in the series.
Objective:
Participants will gain a clear understanding of how energy policy decisions are made in Ohio, with a focus on Community Energy and emerging tools that can expand access to clean energy. The session will help participants understand what these policies mean for Ohio households and communities, and how everyday Ohioans can engage with energy issues.
Topics Covered:
Plug-In Solar: An overview of plug-in solar technology, how it works, and a brief discussion of how it may be addressed in future policy conversations
Community Energy in Ohio: What it is, why it matters, the current status of enabling legislation, and how to advocate locally.
Objective:
Participants will be equipped with practical advocacy tools (from grassroots organizing to public testimony) to build community power and influence energy policy.
Topics Covered:
Media Advocacy: Crafting and submitting impactful Letters to the Editor (LTE).
Grassroots Organizing: Techniques for 1:1 neighbor engagement.
Public Testimony: How to effectively speak at Public Utility Commission (PUC) hearings.
Sign up for the latest class in the Ohio series
Join us for The History of Energy Justice on March 10 at 7 p.m. EST.
This curriculum is designed to educate participants on the concepts and importance of energy justice and energy democracy in New York. The goal is for participants to leave with a deeper intersectional understanding of the just energy transition and how to be an effective advocate for energy justice. The curriculum will take on a train the trainer model, with the goal to catalyze more energy justice champions to take action in New York. This training is being facilitated by SUN staff and our partners at Solar One. Note: There are currently no NY cohorts running. Please check back soon for updates.
Objectives:
Getting to know who is in the room
Overview of the history of the energy system
Understanding the various sources of energy
Understand how energy is distributed
Topics covered:
Utilities and the energy market
History of Energy
Sources of Energy
Objectives: Gain an understanding of the energy landscape in New York State including energy leaders, NYISO, and GHG emission sources.
Topics covered:
Emissions & Solutions
Review module 1
Energy in New York
Objectives:
Overview of the History of Environmental Justice
Understand the Elements of a Just Transition
Defining Challenges and Opportunities to the Just Transition
Topics covered:
Visioning a Better Future
Environmental Racism and Environmental Justice
Energy Justice
Objectives:
Understand how the intersection of Federal, State, and City policies impact climate resiliency
Introduction to current energy programs that assist all New Yorkers
Apply a lens of energy justice to these policies – are they reaching the most vulnerable communities
Topics covered:
Energy Programs
Energy Policies
Objectives:
Understand the principles of energy democracy
Gain insight into existing networks of climate justice actors
Learn methods of advocacy specific to energy & climate change
Get comfortable speaking about climate justice
Commit to an action
Topics covered:
Action Planning
What is Energy Democracy
Mapping Energy Justice Movements
Program Application
New York Energy Champion Program Application: NOW CLOSED! Check back soon for more opportunities.
Thank you for your interest in our Free Energy Champion Program! This program is designed to empower nonprofit staff, community-based organizations (CBOs), and community leaders to drive a just and equitable energy transition in their communities. Our curriculum is tailored to meet the unique needs of each state, building a collective understanding of energy democracy and providing practical tools for action. Please note that the training consists of 5 modules, each lasting approximately 2 hours. The modules will be delivered over 6-8 weeks.
Please answer all questions thoughtfully and to the best of your ability.
Application Instructions:
The application form should take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Please ensure that all required fields are filled out before submitting your application.
Application Deadline: March 6
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