Original press release at SEIA.org
June 22 2021
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Three multinational clean energy development companies are joining the board of directors of America’s leading solar and storage trade association.
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is welcoming Origis Energy, EDP Renewables and Carbon Solutions Group to its board as the organization expands to include energy storage and advocates for federal policies that strengthen clean energy infrastructure and create jobs.
“The solar industry is growing quickly, but not quick enough to meaningfully address the climate crisis and reach President Biden’s clean energy goals,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of SEIA. “These challenges also present an incredible opportunity to create lasting economic prosperity. We are thrilled to welcome three new board members to our ranks as SEIA advocates for solar and storage policies that will help rebuild our economy with hundreds of thousands of new Americans jobs.”
Origis Energy is a sustainable energy solution provider, whose team has worked to ensure the interests of all stakeholders are upheld in 170 projects worldwide totaling more than 4 gigawatts (GW) to date of developed solar and energy storage capacity. Origis brings clean and cost-effective solar and energy storage solutions to utility, commercial and industrial, and public sector clients.
“From coast to coast, a growing range of clients depend on our team to structure large scale and distributed solar and energy storage solutions to meet their clean energy goals. We witness the positive economic impact these projects fuel in the communities in which we work. In the aftermath of the pandemic, these projects deliver a much-needed boost to America’s economic recovery,” said Guy Vanderhaegen, chief executive officer & president of Origis Energy and new SEIA board member.“We applaud the efforts by SEIA to strengthen the solar industry including the organization’s work toward a more diverse and trained workforce. With nearly 1 million new workers needed to reach the U.S. clean energy goals, we are all being called upon to break down silos and create innovative ways to bring new workers into our ranks.”
EDP Renewables North America LLC (EDPR NA) and its subsidiaries develop, construct, own, and operate solar energy, onshore and offshore wind energy, and battery storage projects throughout North America. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, with regional offices across North America, EDPR NA has developed more than 7,900 megawatts (MW) and operates more than 7,500 MW of renewable energy projects. EDPR NA is owned by EDP Renováveis, S.A., a global leader in the renewable energy sector. The U.S. is EDPR’s largest market.
“We are pleased to be stepping up our engagement with SEIA at this particularly important time, when clean energy and climate policy are gaining increased attention from state and federal policymakers,” said Miguel Prado, CEO of EDPR NA. “With EDPR’s increased focus on solar energy and our recent investment in the distributed solar market, SEIA provides valuable market intelligence and advocacy resources that support our solar energy development efforts.”
Carbon Solutions Group is a Distributed Decarbonization Platform business that specializes in owning and operating distributed generation solar (DG Solar) and electric vehicle charging infrastructure (EV Charging). Combining these business lines allows CSG to partner with cities, counties, colleges and project developers to mitigate Scope 1, 2 &; 3 emissions. CSG was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in San Diego with offices in Birmingham, Chicago and Portland.
“We are at a defining moment in the national and global effort to decarbonize the economy and tackle climate change,” said Dylan Debiasi, director of regulatory affairs at Carbon Solutions Group. “CSG is proud to join SEIA and lend its voice to this important coalition of advocates.”
SEIA recently launched the Storage Advocacy Network, which will serve as the formal national and state advocacy voice for energy storage. Energy storage is a critical part of the growing cleantech sector and is increasingly at the center of clean energy infrastructure debates in Congress. The addition of these three companies speaks to SEIA’s leadership across clean energy and the organization’s ability to effectively advocate for solar and storage priorities on the Hill and in state capitols across the country.
The solar industry employs over 231,000 Americans, but the solar workforce will need to grow to 900,000 Americans to achieve President Biden’s goal of 100% clean electricity by 2035. Long-term policy certainty will enable the solar and storage industry to scale deployment, create millions of jobs and generate significant economic growth in communities that have been left behind.
Learn more and get involved in SEIA’s efforts to advance clean energy infrastructure policy and create American jobs at www.seia.org/AmericanJobs.