Climate Change Solutions Update

Author: Generation180

  • Clean energy will save this Virginia school district tens of millions

    Roanoke City Public Schools (RCPS) is implementing a comprehensive distributed-energy strategy by integrating solar generation, demand response, and battery energy storage to reduce energy costs, generate revenue, and increase resiliency during emergencies. Through a power purchase agreement with Secure Solar Futures, RCPS is installing 9.4 megawatts of solar capacity across 29 school sites in Virginia, saving $46.5 million in electricity costs over 35 years. The district plans to develop resilient emergency shelters powered by solar microgrids and aims to increase renewable energy use by 2028. With a focus on fiscal and environmental stewardship to support student success, RCPS is leading the way in sustainable energy solutions in Virginia.

    https://generation180.org/blog/clean-energy-will-save-this-virginia-district-tens-of-millions/

  • A Colorado school built to weather the storm

    Mountain Middle School in Durango, Colorado has successfully transitioned to a net-zero-energy, all-electric building through the implementation of solar installations and battery energy storage systems. Led by Executive Director Shane Voss, the school has funded the project through existing per pupil revenue and grants, showcasing the potential for schools to set a national example for sustainable and climate-resilient practices. The school's solar arrays and battery storage system not only allow it to operate independently during power outages, making it a resilience hub for the community, but also serve as a learning laboratory for students, inspiring interest in clean energy careers. By transforming its gymnasium into a community resilience hub with a solar microgrid, Mountain Middle School is not only saving $28,000 per year in electricity costs but also influencing other schools and families to install solar energy systems, demonstrating the practical benefits of renewable energy to the broader community.

    https://generation180.org/blog/colorado-school-built-to-weather-the-storm/

  • After Disaster Strikes, Footprint Project in New Orleans Brings Clean Power – and Stays to Build Community Resilience

    Footprint Project, founded by Nate and Will Heegaard, deploys portable solar power systems to disaster-affected communities, aiming to provide sustainable power to key facilities like health clinics and emergency operations. They work towards transitioning from diesel generators to cleaner energy solutions, installing permanent solar-and-battery microgrids to enhance resilience and reduce electricity costs. By partnering with local companies and engaging with community members, they prioritize building sustainable energy infrastructure for future disasters, ensuring reliable power sources and supporting local economies in the process. Their focus on ongoing learning and planning aims to create a more resilient energy system for communities in need.

    https://generation180.org/blog/footprint-project-nola/

  • A Closed Virginia Gas Station Becomes a Launchpad for Clean Energy Careers

    FLIPP, Inc., founded by Raye Elliott in Buckingham County, Virginia, provides training and support for individuals looking to enter the clean energy industry. Their flagship program, FACER, supported by a U.S. Department of Labor grant, serves formerly incarcerated individuals, veterans, women, rural residents, and people of color, addressing barriers such as transportation and child care. FLIPP offers a $1,600 stipend and operates initiatives like CREED and Trades Workforce Development Program to prepare workers and assist small employers in hiring and retaining them. With a focus on making training accessible to rural workers, FLIPP extends its reach beyond Buckingham County to regions like Charlottesville, Norfolk, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Georgia, emphasizing the importance of building a clean energy economy and empowering individuals in communities undergoing the transition.

    https://generation180.org/blog/gas-station-clean-energy-va/

  • In Birmingham, Alabama, a solar house is building a more resilient community

    The UAB Solar House in Birmingham and the Solar House project at Huffman High School are both examples of how clean energy solutions can be integrated into everyday living and education. These projects demonstrate the benefits of rooftop solar panels, batteries, native plant gardens, and rainwater collection for generating and storing electricity. By providing hands-on training for students and creating models for sustainable living and community resilience, these initiatives empower communities to adapt clean energy technology to fit their needs. Collaboration between educators, students, professionals, nonprofits, and city leaders is crucial for effective climate solutions, with timing and inclusivity being key factors in addressing climate change.

    https://generation180.org/blog/al-solar-house/

  • The clean energy technologies helping us beat the heat

    Electric vehicles equipped with bidirectional charging technology can provide back-up power during outages, powering essential appliances or serving as generators for schools and emergency shelters. When connected to a grid with abundant clean electricity, EVs, along with solar, wind, batteries, and heat pumps, can help establish a more flexible and efficient energy system. This system allows for charging vehicles when electricity is plentiful, storing it for later use, and reducing energy consumption for heating and cooling. Overall, these technologies are not competing but working together to create progress towards a cleaner and more resilient energy system.

    https://generation180.org/blog/clean-tech-beat-heat/

  • Harrisonburg, VA: The Friendly City is also becoming the Sustainable City

    Harrisonburg, Virginia is making significant progress towards a cleaner and greener city through a variety of environmental initiatives and programs. The city's Public Works department is focused on stormwater management, urban forestry, and transportation planning to meet environmental goals by 2040, while the Public School system is involved in sustainability efforts like Bike, Walk and Roll to School Day, electric school buses, and solar panels. The Environmental Action Plan includes adding solar power to buildings, participating in Virginia C-PACE, and promoting initiatives like the Friendly City Solar Program and electric vehicles. City staff, residents, and organizations are working together to implement these efforts, emphasizing the importance of community support and persistence in achieving a more sustainable and affordable city for all.

    https://generation180.org/blog/harrisonburg-va-the-friendly-city-is-also-becoming-the-sustainable-city/

  • Local creative power in Philadelphia: Inside climate cultura Pennsylvania

    Latino creatives in Philadelphia recently gathered for the Climate Cultura program, which focused on clean energy, public health, and storytelling to address the disproportionate impacts of climate change on Black, brown, and low-income communities in Pennsylvania. The event aimed to make clean energy solutions feel local, personal, and actionable through storytelling that resonates with communities, highlighting local examples of progress and hope in addressing climate and energy challenges. The program empowers creators to bring climate conversations into traditionally overlooked spaces, collaborating on projects to spark discussions around clean energy and climate solutions. By building relationships and creating a national network of Latino storytellers, the goal is to shift the conversation around climate and ensure that stories of impacted communities are told by those living them, making the clean energy transition more inclusive and community-driven.

    https://generation180.org/blog/climate-cultura-philly/

  • Celebrating Tribal Communities Leading the Clean Energy Transition

    Generation180 and the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy (ATCE) are empowering Tribal Nations to lead the way in clean energy projects and energy resilience. United Tribes Technical College and Tribal Energy Alternatives (TEA) are key players in promoting tribal ownership, workforce development, and hands-on learning opportunities in clean energy systems. TEA's Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund awarded $3.6 million to 26 Tribal Nations in 2025, supporting various clean energy initiatives. ATCE acts as a strategic partner, providing technical guidance and funding through philanthropic investments to support Tribal communities in shaping the future of clean energy and advancing energy sovereignty.

    https://generation180.org/blog/celebrating-tribal-communities-leading-the-clean-energy-transition/

  • Solar microgrid brings energy security to White Earth Nation

    The White Earth Nation's Pine Point community in Minnesota is advancing a community-owned resilience project with a 500-kilowatt solar array and battery storage to provide energy security and emergency backup power. Despite facing obstacles, including frozen federal grant programs, the project received funding from the U.S. Department of Energy's ES4SE Program and the Minnesota Solar for Schools program. Led by climate justice developer 10Power, the project aims to provide clean, reliable power while also incorporating an Ojibwe-language educational program and job fair. The Pine Point Resilience Hub is expected to come online in early 2026, serving as a model for community-owned energy in northern Minnesota and connecting energy technology with cultural identity and language revitalization.

    https://generation180.org/blog/solar-microgrid-brings-energy-security-to-white-earth-nation/