In the Mid-Atlantic region, where B Corps are driving forward social and environmental progress across various industries, Neighborhood Sun stands out as a beacon of innovation and sustainability. Since its founding in 2016 as a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC), this Silver Spring, Maryland-based B Corp has expanded its community solar model to seven states including Washington, D.C., bringing clean energy access to households that need it most. More than just a clean energy provider, Neighborhood Sun embodies the values that unite us as B Corporations—prioritizing people, planet, and purpose over profit.
Initially certified as a B Corp in 2017, Neighborhood Sun’s journey is a testament to the resilience and adaptability required of businesses that aim to do good while doing well. Its recent recertification in 2023, highlights the company’s ongoing commitment to its stakeholders—both local and beyond.
For Neighborhood Sun, the challenge has been navigating the “double-edged sword” of expansion. As the grassroots company scales to bring solar savings to subscribers in new regions, it has been forced to reconsider what local means in the context of community solar, where the objective is to keep the energy source and benefits local to the subscribers rather than corporate headquarters. This exemplifies Neighborhood Sun’s commitment to prioritize what is best for the communities it serves over the urge to maximize points on the BIA. Neighborhood Sun has saved nearly $7 million for its subscribers in energy costs while remaining committed to its values in the face of challenges, demonstrating that B Corps can scale without losing sight of what matters most.
What sets Neighborhood Sun apart is its unwavering focus on equity. At a time when access to renewable energy sometimes feels out of reach for many, the company’s model prioritizes low- and moderate-income (LMI) subscribers. Their innovative self-verification process addresses barriers for LMI residents, ensuring that more households—especially those who could benefit most from energy savings—can join the clean energy movement without the burden of excessive documentation. This model aligns closely with national and state policies that support clean energy for underserved communities, such as the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
Much like other B Corps, Neighborhood Sun is powered by its deep-rooted community engagement. The company’s Community Advocacy Board offers highly engaged subscribers an active role in shaping projects and services, ensuring that the company’s work reflects the needs and values of its community members. Quarterly virtual meetings create a space for ongoing dialogue, transparency, and feedback, in addition to opportunities to engage with each other and learn from energy experts.
Internally, the company’s commitment to employee engagement is just as strong. With a bottom-up approach to volunteerism, Neighborhood Sun empowers its team to lead initiatives that align with their personal and professional values. Neighborhood Sun organizes team volunteering opportunities with community partners, offers employees 24 hours of paid time off to volunteer, ensuring that the company’s mission is reflected not just externally, but also within its own culture. Another benefit of working at Neighborhood Sun is the Mammoth Climate membership provided to each employee, allowing individuals to earn points by engaging with climate education modules which can then be redeemed in the form of carbon credits or gift cards to sustainable brands.
For the B Corp community, (J)ustice, (E)quity, (D)iversity, and (I)nclusion (JEDI) are not just buzzwords—they’re essential. Neighborhood Sun exemplifies this, with 75% of its management team identifying as women and 38% as LGBTQIA and 68% as a First Generation American/Immigrant. By intentionally tracking diversity metrics, the company ensures that its commitment to inclusion goes beyond just words. Externally, Neighborhood Sun’s collaborative spirit extends beyond its direct work with communities. Through its partnerships with fellow PBCs like Compost Crew and other B Corps like Unit of Impact, the company showcase the power of shared values in amplifying impact. Whether it’s promoting sustainable platforms and products or creating innovative green employee benefits, Neighborhood Sun is part of a larger movement that we as B Corps are all contributing to—proving that businesses can be a force for good. Neighborhood Sun’s proprietary and fully customizable Sun Engine™ software is designed to meet the needs of both subscribers and solar developers, exemplifying the kind of innovative thinking that drives impact while also ensuring operational efficiency. This blend of technological innovation and human-centric service reflects the ethos of the B Corp community—where business is a tool for positive change.