SEIA to combine with Coalition for Community Solar Access
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has absorbed the Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA) in a move the associations say will expand their combined network and enhance their total capabilities.
The move comes following approval from the Boards of Directors from both organizations, representatives say. The official move will allow the organizations to coalesce into one, forming the only American trade association representing every segment of the solar and energy storage industry.
“By bringing CCSA into SEIA, we’re creating a stronger, more unified voice for the solar and storage industry,” says Tim Pawlenty, president and CEO of SEIA. “Together, we’ll build on CCSA’s success and become a more powerful advocate for every segment of the industry.”
The combined organization will represent companies across the residential, commercial, utility-scale, and community sectors of the solar industry. The two associations aim to form “a single, powerful voice for solar and storage,” driving continued growth and expansion of resources across the U.S.
A crucial political moment
Solar and storage are continuing to expand their respective roles in the American energy ecosystem, SEIA officials say. Storage especially has become a necessity for many solar projects in the U.S., as grid reliability and distributed energy resources become high priorities throughout the industry.
Additionally, the solar landscape is constantly on high alert for change under the second Trump administration.
The “solar coaster” has perhaps never been bumpier in the modern era, and SEIA says this critical moment is perfect for its integration with CCSA. The associations aim to create a network that can “shape market and policy priorities at both the state and federal levels,” officials say.
“A little more than a decade ago, CCSA was formed to create greater access to solar for all Americans. Today, as distributed community power has become one of the most credible solutions to affordability and grid reliability, so has the need for greater scale, resources, and expertise to meet the moment,” says Jeff Cramer, the departing CEO of CCSA. “I am deeply proud of the work we have done, the team we built, and the industry we helped shape, and equally excited to see it evolve inside SEIA.”
SEIA says the integration of CCSA’s team, resources, and political body of work will take place by early October.
