MDV-SEIA publishes commitment to equity and inclusion, emphasizing its role in building bridges between the clean energy sector and communities of color
In May, MDV-SEIA formed an Equity and Inclusion Committee as part of the Association’s on-going commitment to building a more diverse and inclusive solar industry. The Equity and Inclusion statement is now viewable on our website.
The E&I Committee focuses on initiatives that broaden access to the solar industry. These initiatives will help to: build a diverse membership; support programs that increase equity and access to solar for underserved, underrepresented, and marginalized communities; uplift Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), women, non-binary and LGBTQ people to participate and lead in the entire solar ecosystem; and create a forum for equity-focused member organizations and individuals to provide best practices and resources to other members.
Alongside the Equity and Inclusion Committee, MDV-SEIA has also created three new listservs open to all members and their colleagues/employees, including 1) Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), 2) Women and 3) LGBTQ professionals in solar.
These listservs will serve to provide a forum to facilitate and promote the advancement of each group.
These initiatives follow on the tails of the “Maryland Solar Equity Initiative,” a webinar series aimed at addressing a diversity gap in the solar industry. The webinar series, delivered in mid-August 2020, was spearheaded by the local Chapters of the NAACP, MDV-SEIA, Morgan State University, Bowie State University, HBCU Community Development Action Coalition, and nonprofits GRID Alternatives and Solar United Neighbors.
MDV-SEIA hopes to recreate a similar webinar series in Virginia, in partnership with the local NAACP chapter and Virginia’s HBCUs.
MDV-SEIA, as the regional solar trade association, is committed to doing our part to addressing systemic racism in our own majority-white industry and to building a more diverse and inclusive solar ecosystem, from the Boardroom to the Boots on the roof. We look forward to working alongside our member companies, state and local leaders, and our local community partners to build a more inclusive clean energy ecosystem.
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ABOUT MDV-SEIA:
Maryland D.C. Virginia Solar Energy Industry Association (MDV-SEIA) is the second-largest state affiliate of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) with over 160 member organizations, representing over 10,000 solar jobs in the region. Through direct advocacy, policy formation, regulatory intervention and market representation, MDV-SEIA strives to develop and implement strong solar policies to ensure continued market formation for all solar segments in this region and beyond.
MEDIA CONTACT:
David Murray, Executive Director
MD-DC-VA Solar Energy Industry Association
director@mdvseia.org
