On December 7, 2021, Denver-based nonprofit Arc Thrift Stores announced its partnership with SunShare, a solar energy company also in Denver.
Through this coalition, Arc Thrift Stores will power all 30 of its locations with community solar energy. This creates a more sustainable business model for the company — and allows the community to reap a range of benefits.
How It Works
You won’t necessarily see solar panels atop Arc’s many locations. Instead, Arc is subscribing to SunShare’s community solar farm, which allows businesses to receive a portion of the power the farm provides without working with a utility company. The solar farm will distribute clean energy independently through the existing power grid.
SunShare founder David Amster-Olszewski established the company in 2011. His goal is to make the switch to clean energy more attainable for Colorado small businesses and residents.
Since 2011, SunShare has become a national operation with more than 13,000 commercial and residential solar energy subscribers.
[Related: Eco-Friendly Businesses in Colorado to Support]
More Community Resources for Colorado
This partnership comes with more than just clean energy. Arc Ambassador team members will learn the benefits of solar energy and become resources for community members wanting to live sustainably.
Arc’s partnership with SunShare allows it to bypass purchasing solar energy equipment. In turn, Arc Thrift Stores CEO and President Lloyd Lewis will reinvest those funds into the business.
“SunShare offered us the optimal choice to transition to a green energy source for the same price as our current fossil-fuel energy through a subscription that alleviates the expense of installing and maintaining solar panels on our own, allowing us to direct those funds to our staff rather than infrastructure,” said Lewis.
Increased funds for Arc’s staff means bolstering its long list of community services in Denver.
The company currently employs many Colorado residents with developmental disabilities, donates to those affected by natural disasters and repurposes more than 100 million pounds of goods annually. When items don’t sell in its stores, Arc keeps them out of landfills by shipping them to areas in need.
[Related: What to Know About Colorado’s Community Solar Gardens Modernization Act]
Hope for a Solar Energy Revolution
This partnership benefits Colorado directly — and signals great things for the rest of the country.
Because more companies and homeowners are shifting to clean energy with commercial solar installations and home solar installation, costs have dropped 70% in the past decade. And while solar energy offsets over 127 metric tons of carbon emissions annually, that number will steadily rise if more partnerships blossom between businesses and solar companies.
[Related: How Going Solar Benefits the Environment and Public Health]
Contact Freedom Solar to Start Using Solar Power
Since 2007, solar panel company Freedom Solar has provided accessible home solar installation and commercial solar energy solutions to customers nationwide. From consultation to solar panel installation and maintenance, we’re with you every step of the way.
If you’re interested in going solar and moving away from fossil fuels, contact us at one of our locations. Call (800) 504-2337 or complete our inquiry form, and one of our solar specialists will be in touch!
Featured image via Unsplash