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CCSA Hires Elizabeth Van Holt and Kate Daniel to Expand Community Solar Across New Markets and Northeast

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA) announced it has hired government affairs expert Elizabeth Van Holt as its New Markets Director and seasoned clean energy policy professional Kate Daniel as its Northeast Regional Director. Van Holt will be charged with expanding access to clean, affordable energy for homeowners and businesses by opening new community solar markets in states across the country, while Daniel will expand and strengthen established state programs in Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York.

“Elizabeth and Kate are veteran government affairs pros and dedicated policy advocates, and we’re fortunate to have them on our team advocating to grow community solar capacity,” said CCSA’s CEO Jeff Cramer. “While the Northeast is leading the way on many facets of community solar, there is room to improve so we can bring more access and bill savings to low- and middle-income customers, increase grid resiliency, and drive economic development across the region. There is also significant pent up customer demand across the Midwest, South and West for clean, affordable solar energy. Elizabeth and Kate both have unique skill-sets that will help them work with regulators and policymakers to bring more community solar to more states.”

Van Holt has more than 25 years of government affairs, campaigns, and lobbying experience. She previously worked for three of the largest trade associations in the nation — the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers, and the American Petroleum Institute. A veteran in coalition building, she has a keen ability to build strong relationships with state and national organizations to advance policy priorities and brings strong relationships with legislators across the Midwest. 

Daniel previously served as Director of Policy for Catalyze, an innovative energy services partner and independent power producer (IPP) accelerating the transition to the renewable energy economy by creating new profit opportunities for commercial and industrial real estate owners. Prior to Catalyze, she was a Consultant with Sustainable Energy Advantage where she conducted policy and market analyses of the renewable energy sector in the Northeast, and supported public sector clients in clean energy program design and implementation. She was also previously part of the team that runs the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) out of the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center.

Community solar—which is one of the fastest-growing segments within the solar industry—refers to local solar facilities shared by multiple community subscribers who receive credits on their electricity bills for their share of the power produced. Community solar provides homeowners, renters, and businesses equal access to the economic and environmental benefits of solar energy generation regardless of the physical attributes or ownership of their home or business. Community solar expands access to solar for all, including low-to-moderate income customers, all while building a stronger, distributed, and more resilient electric grid.

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The Coalition for Community Solar Access is a national coalition of businesses and nonprofits working to expand customer choice and access to solar for all American households and businesses through community solar. Our mission is to empower every American energy consumer with the option to choose local, clean and affordable community solar. We work with customers, utilities, local stakeholders and policymakers to develop and implement policies and best practices that ensure community solar programs provide a win, win, win for all, starting with the customer. For more information, visit https://communitysolaraccess.org and follow the group on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn