Perera brings deep policy and legislative expertise to help expand community solar and distributed energy nationwide
WASHINGTON D.C. — The Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA) is proud to announce the hiring of Elizabeth Martin Perera as Senior Director of National Programs and Policy. Perera joins CCSA after serving as an Advisor and Senior Scientist at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Loan Programs Office, where she financed distributed generation and storage projects and managed risk to ensure projects achieved their intended outcomes. With experience in government policy, strategic partnerships, and applied science, Perera will support the continued growth of community solar and distributed energy initiatives nationwide.
“Elizabeth’s addition to the CCSA team marks a new chapter in our efforts to expand community solar and distributed energy and storage programs nationwide,” said Jeff Cramer, President and CEO of the Coalition for Community Solar Access. “Elizabeth’s leadership in advancing capital-driven clean energy programs within top levels of government gives her the strategic insight to craft policies that deliver results for communities across the nation.”
In her new role at CCSA, Perera will lead national partnerships, federal policy, and advocacy initiatives, working closely with CCSA’s state-level Policy and Markets teams. She will guide the organization’s federal advocacy strategy and oversee the development and management of national partnerships and coalitions.
“I’ve spent my career working to drive the clean energy transition, and community solar plays a central role in that work,” said Perera. “I’m excited to bring my experience working with the nation’s top clean energy companies, nonprofits, legislators, and regulators to this space as we work to ensure all Americans have access to local, clean, affordable energy.”
Prior to the DOE, Perera was the Senior Director of Climate Policy and Federal Partnerships at the Sierra Club, a Senior Washington Representative at the Union of Concerned Scientists, and a Climate Policy Specialist at the Natural Resources Defense Council.