Vote Solar is a non-profit organization working to make solar a mainstream energy resource. Learn more about our organization and recent successes in our 2012 Annual Report.

1. Vote Solar 2012 Annual Report
Vote Solar is a non-profit Contents
grassroots organization Policy Objectives
working to foster
How We Work
economic opportunity,
promote energy Top 12 in 2012
independence and fight Our Team
climate change by
making solar a mainstream Out Board
energy resource across Funding Sources
the United States.
Get Involved
Solar generation accounts for just one percent of our national energy mix,
Policy Issues: largely because cost and regulatory barriers have stood in the way. Vote
Solar works to overcome those hurdles for both rooftop and utility solar
• Renewable Portfolio Standards &
power across the U.S.
incentive programs
• Net energy metering Each market type has its own advantages and specific policy needs.
• Electricity rate design Distributed rooftop systems located at or near where electricity is
• Interconnection standards consumed can reduce transmission and distribution costs; and they can be
• Local permitting requirements used by individuals, businesses and others to reduce their power bills and
• Shared solar programs their carbon footprints in one fell swoop. With ‘smart from the start’
• Transmission planning planning, wholesale solar presents an exciting opportunity to bring solar
• Utility procurement & resource into our utility power mix at entirely new economies of scale. Vote Solar
planning
works across the board on policies that reduce cost, improve access,
• PACE & other financing solutions
reward value, and drive the necessary transformations in our energy
• Siting & environmental review
infrastructure to build a clean energy future.

2. We work with policymakers: of our skilled advocacy peers by When it’s time to take action, we
collaborating wherever possible. mobilize our supporters and give
Policy leaders across the Whether it’s sharing our deep them the easy tools they need to
country are showing policy design expertise or make their voices heard to
unprecedented support for highlighting best practices from the policymakers.
cleaner, cost effective energy. successful efforts of others, we
But solar policy is complex and provide the tools, guidance and
changing all the time. We help We commit for the long-term:
support needed to help others
regulators and legislators make a difference in their own
understand solar policy options,
Each law and program
communities and nationwide.
quantify their costs and benefits, successfully enacted
draft legislation, and implement We work with people: requires sustained
the solar programs that will attention to make sure it is
benefit individuals, businesses We are a grassroots organization implemented correctly,
and communities alike. with approximately 60,000 operating effectively,
members from all 50 states. Our protected from opposing
We work with advocates: social media channels reach 15,000 interests, and amended
fans and followers. We help these when necessary. We stay
We aim to transform one of this solar supporters stay informed the course and maintain
country’s most powerful about the latest in U.S. solar policy watchdog vigilance to
industries, and we can’t do it and market trends through emails, make sure positive
alone. We make the most of our blog posts, social media, webinars progress is made.
own limited resources and those and strategic press outreach.

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5

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6

7. 12.
7

8. Vote Solar Staff
Adam Browning, Executive Director Adam co-founded Vote Solar after working on the successful campaign for San
Francisco’s 2001 solar bond. Prior to Vote Solar, Adam spent eight years with the Environmental Protection Agency
where he ran an award-winning pollution prevention program.
Gwen Rose, Operations Director Gwen directs Vote Solar’s strategic organizational operations. Her prior work in
Marin County’s solar and climate protection programs earned the “Best Progress in the Western Region” Award from
the Department of Energy’s Million Solar Roofs Initiative.
Rick Gilliam, Director of Research & Analysis Rick is Vote Solar’s analytical and quantitative powerhouse. He was
formerly Vice President of Mountain West Government Affairs for SunEdison and held prior roles at Western
Resource Advocates, the Public Service Company of Colorado and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(FERC). He lives in Boulder, CO.
Jim Baak, Utility-Scale Solar Policy Director Jim leads Vote Solar’s utility-scale solar program focused on
developing the market for centralized solar power plants. Jim joined Vote Solar from Pacific Gas & Electric Co., one
of the largest utilities in the U.S.
Kelly Foley, Regulatory Director & Legal Counsel Kelly works primarily in California, focusing on the integration
of both distributed and large scale solar energy. She has extensive energy law experience, including more than a
decade spent as regulatory counsel for Sempra Energy and PG&E. She holds a J.D. from the University of Michigan
Law School.
Rosalind Jackson, Director of Communications & Development Rosalind supports Vote Solar campaigns and
organizational growth through media, member and donor relations. Rosalind came to Vote Solar with five years of
clean energy public relations experience. She has a degree in Environmental Science and Mass Communications
from UC Berkeley.
Annie Lappé, Solar Policy Director Annie leads state campaigns throughout the West and Midwest. She rejoined
Vote Solar after managing government affairs in the Interior West for SunEdison. She was previously with the Alliance
to Save Energy. She holds environmental policy degrees from Oxford University and UC Santa Cruz. She lives in
Boulder, CO.
Peter Olmsted, East Coast Solar Advocate Based in Pennsylvania, Peter is responsible for advancing solar policy in
the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region. Peter was previously lead energy policy staff for the Delaware Senate Energy
& Transit Committee. He holds a Masters of Energy and Environmental Policy from the University of Delaware.
Susannah Churchill, Policy Advocate Susannah directs Vote Solar’s distributed solar advocacy efforts in California.
Prior to joining Vote Solar she was a Senior Regulatory Analyst at the CPUC and an Advisor to a Commissioner at the
CEC. She holds a Masters in Public Policy from UC Berkeley.
Hannah Masterjohn, Policy Advocate Hannah leads our work on Shared Solar business models and East Coast
states. She previously managed the Solar America Cities program at the Department of Energy. She has degrees in
Environmental Policy and Political Economy from UC Santa Barbara and Clark University. Hannah is based in upstate
New York.
Ash Lauth, Outreach Associate Ash is focused on building the solar movement from the grassroots up. She brings
years of organizing experience on energy and environmental issues to her role. Ash is Green Corps trained, holds a
degree in English & Politics from the University of Puget Sound, and is completing a Masters in Environmental Studies
at Prescott College.
8

9. Vote Solar is a project of the Tides
Center, a 501(c)3 charitable 2012 Funding Sources
organization, and the Tsunami
Fund, a 501(c)4 non-profit
organization. We are primarily
funded through the generosity of
grantmaking foundations, with
additional support from corporate
giving, individual donors and
public funds.
Make a Donation: Vote Solar
welcomes credit card donations of
all sizes online at:
www.votesolar.org. Donations by
check can be mailed to us at the
address below.
101 Montgomery St.
Suite 2600
San Francisco, CA 94104
www.votesolar.org
www.votesolar.org/blog
www.twitter.com/votesolar