How Do I Get Solar in My Community?
Highlights and Recording of Success in Solar Campaigns Webinar
On Thursday, July 13th, 2026, Community Action Works hosted the Success in Solar Campaigns Webinar, the first in our 2026 Summer Webinar Series. We were joined by attendees from across the country who learned about the ins and outs of successful solar campaigns in a diversity of settings, from solar arrays on houses of worship in Pennsylvania, to rooftop solar in a North Carolina HOA. We want to extend a huge thank you to our speakers (listed below) not only for their excellent presentations, but for taking the time to answer questions and engage thoughtfully with attendees.
Who Were Our Speakers On Success On The Solar Webinar?
Belle Sherwood | Climate & Clean Energy Advocate at PennEnvironment
Have you ever seen a solar synagogue? How about solar powering school buses? Belle has! Leading solar tours of Pennsylvania schools and churches, Belle saw firsthand how seeing is believing. She used powerful media engagement and community invitations to change hearts and minds, proving the tangible impact of clean energy.
Bella Bogin | Director of Programs, Ohio Citizen Action
The first speaker of a two-part talk, Bella gave attendees a breakdown of the current solar policy landscape in Ohio, the mission of Ohio Citizen Action, and the incredible success they have had organizing in rural Ohio for Utility scale solar.
Tracy Sabetta | Founding partner, Initiative Consulting
Tracy highlighted the incredible campaign work she did to lift a solar ban in rural Richland County, OH alongside Ohio Citizen Action. The story is empowering: although the referendum ultimately resulted in a preservation of the solar ban, it was a narrow defeat, and she learned a lot about the importance of message discipline and the power of personal anecdotes to combat NIMBY attitudes towards solar.
Success in Solar Campaigns Recording
The webinar highlights Community Action Works’s Solar Organizing Playbook. The Playbook outlines how community members can reduce restrictions on solar in their HOAs, and features the story of Jack Gerdeman, a North Carolina HOA resident who, when his HOA wouldn’t budge on reducing their restrictions on rooftop solar, decided to get on the board himself. Now, his community has over 20 rooftop solar arrays and continues to add more.
How To Get Plugged In to Solar Campaign Work? Check Out These Resources Below!
Solar Organizing in your HOA Playbook
Learn more about PennEnvironment’s Clean Energy Tours
Does your school qualify for the Solar for Schools Grant in Pennsylvania?
Volunteer with Ohio Citizen Action!
How to get solar on an Ohio school? Learn about the School Energy Performance Contracting Loan Fund!
