Vote Solar

Energy bills keep rising, but across the country, we’re on the ground advancing real solutions. From smart solar + storage policies to expanding access and lowering costs, Vote Solar is working to build a more affordable energy future. But we can’t do it without your support. For a limited time, when you donate $100 or more OR start a monthly gift of at least $10, we’ll mail you a Vote Solar hat. Clean energy progress starts in the states. Donate to support our work and help build a cleaner, more resilient energy system: action.votesolar.org/a/vote-solar-h…

MeLena Hessel, Midwest deputy program director, and Kavi Chintam, Illinois campaign manager, talk data centers and proposed legislation in Illinois that holds data centers accountable for meeting new load with new clean energy. Read the full story here: canarymedia.com/articles/data-…

California households are facing an energy affordability crisis that is causing households to make difficult choices between paying their utility bills or putting food on the table. Yet, not everyone is struggling in this crisis. @PGE4Me is making huge profits, raking in $3.1 BILLION in 2025, a 10% increase compared to the companies’ then record-breaking profits in 2024. The huge profits for the for-profit utility corporation comes at the expense of hardworking Californians who are finding it more and more difficult to make ends meet. It’s time for our state leaders to hold utilities accountable and put an end to this unrestrained corporate greed.

Electricity demand is surging — driven by electrification, population growth, and the rapid expansion of AI and data centers. This moment could strain families and ratepayers like you or strengthen communities, depending on the choices we make. A fair clean energy future means pairing growth with responsibility. Large new energy users should help bring new clean, local power online — not drive up costs for everyone else. Local solar and storage bring real benefits like good-paying jobs, energy dollars staying in local communities, and a more flexible, reliable grid. Energy growth should build prosperity — not higher bills.

Extreme weather spurred by the climate crisis and massive, energy-hungry data centers are straining our already aging power grid. Solar energy offers affordable and readily available solutions to meet this moment. Across the country, we’re pushing legislators and regulators to adopt community-based solutions like plug-in solar and battery storage, but we can’t do it without your support. Scroll through some of our recent wins, and if you feel inspired, please donate: action.votesolar.org/a/support-2026…

The heavy snow currently sweeping the East Coast reminds us of a heavy truth: No one should be left in the cold because the grid couldn’t withstand extreme winter weather. We’re thinking of everyone facing outages, freezing temperatures, and unsafe conditions. Read the latest on how extreme winter weather stresses our energy grid and the readily available solar solutions we're working to implement across the country to meet this moment: votesolar.org/as-extreme-win…

From a real life wedding to a cameo from none other than Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show was iconic in so many ways. What stood out to us though was the storytelling around grid reliability in Puerto Rico. Due to federal government neglect and increasing intensities of storms due to climate change, Puerto Rico has often been left in the dark. We've said it once and we'll say it again: Reliable clean energy is a right, not a privilege. Read our recent blog about grid reliability to learn how solar plugs in as an affordable, readily-available solution to an aging grid: votesolar.org/as-extreme-win…

“Colorado communities, regulators, and utilities spent years planning a lawful, cost-effective transition away from coal,” says Vote Solar Regulatory Director for the West Kate Bowman. “Overriding that process at the eleventh hour erodes public trust and leaves families paying more for decisions made without their input.” Full story here: summitdaily.com/news/trump-col…

Time’s running out to protect ourselves from rising energy costs — act by Friday! Vote Solar’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Director Elowyn Corby explains what’s happening with the regional transmission operator PJM and why your voice matters. It only takes 3 minutes to make a big impact! Take action here: pjm.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_be…

This weekend a catastrophic storm is set to hit a wide expanse of the South that could coat roads, trees and power lines with devastating ice from Texas to the Carolinas. An Arctic front threatens the midwest with wind chills of 40 to 50 below zero. Climate change is making winter storms more volatile — and blackouts more dangerous. No one should be left in the cold because the grid couldn’t withstand extreme winter weather. We’re thinking of everyone facing outages, freezing temperatures, and unsafe conditions. There are readily-available solar solutions to make our power grid more resilient. Add your name and demand your utility take immediate action to improve grid reliability: action.votesolar.org/a/nat-reliabil…

💡Fact: In Michigan, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities are left without power about 351 minutes — nearly 6 hours — longer each year than predominantly white communities during outages. Point blank: Reliable energy is a right — not a privilege. Local solar and storage keep power on when centralized systems fail, delivering affordable energy where it’s needed most. Learn how infrastructure inequality shapes daily life in one of America’s major cities, Detroit, Michigan: youtube.com/watch?v=RGiy42…

Massachusetts has untapped solar potential while consumers face skyrocketing power costs. Let’s cut the red tape to unlock affordable energy. ⚡📉 Great piece by partners at @votesolar, @join_ACT + @rewiringamerica Link below!

The smart solar permitting bill is now LAW! This will make solar faster, cheaper, and accessible to more families in #NewJersey. Thanks to @robkarabinchak and @JohnFMcKeon. @votesolar @PermitPower_ @NJSBNetwork #SmartSolarPermitting #NJShines

“Through his work, Chief Red Cloud is not only expanding access to clean energy, but also strengthening energy sovereignty, economic opportunity, and resilience in Native communities.” — @sachcon Congratulations to Chief Henry Red Cloud, recipient of the 2025 Dr. Espanola Jackson Energy Justice Award. votesolar.org/chief-henry-re…

Check out this piece by Vote Solar Regulatory Director of the Northeast Lindsay Griffin and partners as they talk solar solutions to the ongoing energy affordability crisis in Massachusetts. "By fixing the approval process for solar and batteries, scaling virtual power plants, and better aligning utility incentives with the public interest, lawmakers can deliver real, durable affordability." Read more here: commonwealthbeacon.org/opinion/sensib…

A historic win for Illinois! @GovPritzker signed the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act yesterday, reinforcing our state's clean energy leadership. Hear from Gov. Pritzker, Sarah (@cubillinois), and Kavi (@votesolar) on how this law will save money through clean energy.

CRGA is law!🎉 Today, @GovPritzker signed the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act into law, officially cementing Illinois as the state with the STRONGEST response yet to the rollback of federal climate protections.

What a way to start the New Year. CRGA is law!🎉 Illinois REMAINS a leader in #CleanEnergy because of @GovPritzker and the tireless work of the advocates of the @ILCleanJobs. Pictured here: (Kavi- @votesolar , Sarah @cubillinois , Delmar @ElevateNPO )

VICTORY! The smart solar permitting bill is now LAW! This will make solar faster, cheaper, and accessible to more families. When we remove barriers to clean energy, everyone wins: Public health, the Economy, and our Environment. #SmartSolarPermitting #CleanEnergyNow #NJShines

We made it, the last day of 2025! With only hours left, we still need your help to reach our $20,000 year-end fundraising goal — and every dollar counts. 🙌 As a nonprofit, we raise nearly half our annual budget in the final quarter, so your gift today makes a huge difference in helping us hit the ground running in 2026. Your contribution fuels: ✨ Legislative campaigns in 20+ states ✨ Unique research and public utility interventions ✨ Deep community partnerships and more Let’s finish strong — we can’t do it without you: action.votesolar.org/a/eoy2025?ms=s… #YearEndGiving #DoubleYourImpact #CleanEnergy #SolarForAll