Interstate Renewable Energy Council
Independent leadership. Trusted clean energy expertise.
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Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Global human-caused net carbon dioxide emissions must fall dramatically in order to avoid long-lasting and irreversible changes to ecosystems and human health. Increasing the use of clean energy is key to meeting these reduction targets. In addition to urgent climate and health concerns, meeting clean energy goals provides economic benefits, through both energy savings and increased jobs. Many cities and states have committed to ambitious targets to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2050. To meet these goals, distributed energy resources (including rooftop solar) will need to be deployed in far larger numbers than today, even in states with many renewable energy installations. However, the right policies, rules and programs are not yet in place to accommodate substantially more clean energy resources. In addition, the myriad professions that impact clean energy deployment, such as firefighters, building code officials, and local government staff need training and education.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Regulatory Policy Program
IREC’s Regulatory Program increases the adoption of regulatory reforms that increase consumer access to, and streamline integration of, clean distributed energy resources (DERs), such as solar and energy storage, on the grid in order to optimize their widespread benefits. To achieve this goal and fill identified gaps in the broader clean energy ecosystem, IREC focuses on four core issues: 1) interconnection reform, 2) grid modernization, 3) energy storage and smart inverter deployment, and 4) equitable consumer access.
Clean Energy Workforce Development
The renewable energy and energy efficiency industry is developing fast. At IREC, we care passionately about quality training that meets employer needs for a highly skilled clean energy workforce.
Training that meets the highest standards and results in marketable, job-related skills stands out from the rest. IREC is building the foundation for strong clean energy markets by driving quality, market-valued education and training standards for a job-ready workforce.
IREC develops quality and competency standards, accreditation and certification programs for clean energy educators and training programs.
IREC developed a best practices series and numerous other resources for solar education and training, now valued national resources for new and existing solar programs and instructors to meet the highest standards - to teach the skills employers need.
Where we work
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Evaluation documents
Download evaluation reportsStates where IREC facilitated improved state rules or policies to make connecting distributed energy resources more efficient and cost effective.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Related Program
Regulatory Policy Program
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
2020 – CA, CO, IL, MA, MD, MI, MN, NV, NY, and Puerto Ri 2019 – NV, MD, MT, CA, MN, SC, NC, MA (also, Puerto Rico and technical support to MI, AR, CO); 2018 – CA, MD, MA, MN, NV; 2017 – IL, IA, NY, OR
Number of events for target audiences at which IREC presents or hosts
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Related Program
Regulatory Policy Program
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
2,219 unique users who downloaded IREC's regulatory resources
Number of active credentials for training program accreditation and trainer certification
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
At-risk youth, Emergency responders, Unemployed people
Related Program
Clean Energy Workforce Development
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Credential Holders
Number of training programs created
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
At-risk youth, Economically disadvantaged people, Emergency responders
Related Program
Clean Energy Workforce Development
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
2019 - trained 2500 U.S. DOE Weatherization Assistance Program administrators, 29 online modules; 2018 - Apartment maintenance technicians, HBI/Job Corp; 2017 - Code official & firefighter trainings
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
IREC is working to:
1. Increase adoption of policies and regulatory reforms that increase access to and streamline grid integration of distributed energy resources in order to optimize their widespread benefits.
a. Make interconnection to the grid more efficient.
b. Empower states to modernize the electricity distribution grid.
c. Increase the number of consumers participating in shared renewables and multifamily programs.
d. Pave the path for national deployment of distributed energy storage and smart inverters.
2. Deploy quality assurance programs and training to ensure that clean energy workers demonstrate the skills necessary to support industry credibility and growth.
3. Increase use of clean energy and energy efficiency in multi-family housing, especially for low- and moderate-income consumers.
4. Increase awareness of IREC and the value of its work among targeted stakeholders; and increase knowledge of IREC’s positive impact and perception of its value among existing stakeholders.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
IREC’s Regulatory Policy team:
1. Engages in numerous diverse states to improve regulatory policies to better facilitate the deployment of renewable energy and distributed energy resources (DERs).
2. Serves as national thought-leaders and identifies/develops DER policy best practices in the consumer’s best interest.
3. Develops leading national policy resources/tools/guidelines/scorecards.
4. Deploys a multi-faceted communications and outreach strategy to increase the understanding, acceptance and adoption of IREC best practices and the use of IREC tools/resources among target audiences.
IREC’s Workforce Development team:
1. Accredits training programs and certifies trainers to IREC Standards.
2. Develops, manages and coordinates training programs for allied and emerging industries and industry trainers.
3. Positions IREC as a trailblazer in the area of micro-credentialing development.
IREC's Local Initiatives team:
1.IREC informs, guides, incentivizes, and supports local governments, communities, and individuals to take actions that increase the deployment of clean energy and implementation of energy efficiency.
2. Supports the improvement of codes, standards, and permitting and inspection processes that impact the deployment of DERs at the local level.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
IREC’s nearly 40-year history provides an impressive list of impacts and outcomes. These measurable achievements are directly attributable to staff who apply their imagination, vigor, brainpower, and verve to construct stackable blocks of policy models, workforce best practices and consumer tools. IREC has the good fortune of tapping influencers with exceptional talent. IREC brings to the table some of the brightest national experts, enablers, implementers, and thought leaders with a proven track record of expanding access to clean energy for communities, consumers, and businesses across the country. IREC has always been an easy ship to turn, responding to changing market and political circumstances, but without losing its moral and cultural compass. IREC is known as a trusted and reputable expert, and demand for IREC’s services is growing rapidly as 100% renewable energy policy issues expand across the states.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
IREC has:
1. Intervened in state regulatory proceedings resulting in groundbreaking policies in more than 30 states on net metering, interconnection, community solar, grid modernization, energy storage, and smart inverters.
2. Developed the first model rules for foundational clean energy policies.
3. Drove recognition that a skilled, competent workforce is critical for a young industry to gain traction and acceptance.
4. Provided solar training for more than 12,000 firefighters and local code officials.
5. Empowered consumers with the tools they need to navigate and understand the solar process through Be Solar Smart Consumer Checklist and Consumer Clean Energy Bill of Rights.
What’s Next:
IREC will accelerate adoption of interconnection, grid modernization, and other reforms to help reach 100% renewable energy. IREC will also work to expand our “Training to Jobs Pipeline” in target cities to ensure a diverse, quality workforce will be ready to meet the needs of a resilient, clean energy economy. In 2021, IREC will merge with The Solar Foundation, another leading clean energy nonprofit, doubling its staff and significantly expanding its impact.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.)
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, Staff find it hard to prioritize feedback collection and review due to lack of time, It is difficult to identify actionable feedback
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Interstate Renewable Energy Council
Board of directorsas of 09/20/2023
Polly Shaw
Plus Power
Term: 2022 - 2024
Larry Shirley
Shirley Associates
Mark Roper
Engie
Jacob Parks
Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
Anne Hoskins
Generac
Dan Reicher
Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance Stanford Law School
Lorraine Akiba
LHA Ventures
Ronny Sandoval
ROS Energy Strategies
Trenton Allen
Sustainable Capital Advisors
Bonnie Datta
Plug to Grid Strategies
John Wilson
Global Cool Cities Alliance
Tom Starrs
EDP
Dub Taylor
Energy Consultant
Amanda Hatherly
RHA
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 09/20/2023GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
- We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
- We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.