Innovative Pathways to Developing Solar+Storage in Low-Income Communities: Norfolk Solar’s Qualified Opportunity Zone Fund

This webinar, presented by Clean Energy Group, showcased Norfolk Solar and the Qualified Opportunity Zone (QOZ) Fund formed to advance renewable energy generation, storage, and racial equity in low-income communities in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia.

The presentation  included an overview of:

• What a QOZ Fund is and how Norfolk Solar operates within their QOZ, including financial structures, accomplishments, obstacles to project development, and opportunities for program expansion
• Solar and solar+storage projects, both planned and completed, by Norfolk Solar on businesses, non-profits and residences
• Local workforce development efforts to hire and train residents of the QOZ as solar installers, which has led to the first solar installers of color working in Hampton Roads, Virginia
• How to replicate the QOZ model nationwide

Presenter: Ruth McElroy Amundsen, Founder, Norfolk Solar QOZ Fund LLC

Moderator: Marriele Mango, Project Director, Clean Energy Group