Why Residential Installers should choose Sol Systems as their SREC Provider
SRECs & Commodities |
By Avery Sellers
Since 2008, residential installers across the East Coast
have entrusted their customers’ solar renewable energy credits (SRECs) with Sol
Systems. With consistent dedication to our customers and a constant drive for
improvement, there has never been a better time for residential installers to
partner with us.
No Customer Service
Team like the Sol SREC Service Team
Sol Systems SREC Service team has long been the golden
standard of customer service in the SREC space. Sol Systems is available 9 am –
5 pm ET every weekday to field questions at any point before, during, or after
your project(s) is registered. The team has Spanish-speaking staff, and
Spanish-speaking customers now have expanded resources in the SREC help center.
No matter the conversation, our team is knowledgeable, friendly, and honest,
always ready to lend a helping hand.
Consistently
Improving
Our team never stops looking for ways to improve. Our customer
Dashboard is always undergoing updates based on client feedback. In addition to
navigability improvements, we’ve now enabled installers to now drag and drop
entire systems lists into our data base with one upload, saving hours of time
for some of our installer partners. We launched our SREC Help Center this year through
the Zendesk platform to provide easy avenues to simple and complex questions
about SRECs and how Sol Systems interacts with them. As always, customers can still
give us a call or send an email if they want a more direct or personal answer
to their questions.
Team Up with Us!
We’re always looking to expand our partnerships with
residential installers across the country to provide their customers with the
most valuable SREC experience. We work with established installers and
start-ups alike. If you’ve got SRECs, we’ve got solutions. Give us a call, an
email, or sign up on the form below to get started or simply learn more.
To pay homage to our dedicated customer service team at Sol Systems, we are launching our Service Spotlight Series! This interview series will provide the opportunity for our customers and partners to get to know their customer service representatives and learn about what goes into serving our 15,000 customers each day. Our series continues Ben Adams, an SREC Customer Operations Analyst at Sol Systems.
Ben Adams is a SREC Customer Operations Analyst at Sol Systems.
1.What made you pursue a career in renewables?
My dad and godmother started a renewable energy company in 2003 to serve the local area in New Hampshire, so I grew up learning about solar energy and talking to my dad about SRECS. Throughout college, I didn’t think about pursuing a career in renewables until I wrote my senior thesis about net metering policy. This inspired me to apply for an internship at the Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA) which helped me find my current role at Sol Systems. My favorite part about working in renewables is that is a mission driven industry and gives people access to something affordable and environmentally friendly. It feels rewarding to help people and give them access to solar.
2. How has your role evolved during your time at Sol Systems?
I started as an intern on the SREC team in 2019 and transitioned to full time later that year. Over time, my responsibilities grew and now I work on my team’s portfolio optimization. Among my other main tasks, I make sure systems registered with Sol are reported accurately. We’ve seen immense improvements from a performance standpoint to the point where our optimization is very consistent, which has been a very rewarding part of my job.
3. Why do you like working with SRECs specifically?
SRECs are an interesting market because of its broad and complex implications. An interesting change that we have seen recently is the change in ownership of solar systems because of home sales. Because of our data set and backend analytics, we see this trend and change real time, allowing us to bring more value to people that we serve.
4. What’s your favorite part of working on a customer service team?
My favorite part about working with SRECs is the support from my team. We have a lot of responsibility but it’s a very collaborative and supportive environment. It’s a great to be part of a team that always has your back.
5. Outside of Sol, what do you like to do for fun?
I love hiking and have been working on hiking all the trails in the White Mountains. I'm about one third of the way through. That’s what I spend most of my time doing on the weekends. Other than that, I enjoy watching sports and going to breweries.
ABOUT SOL SYSTEMS
Sol Systems is a leading national solar energy firm with an established reputation for integrity and reliability across its development, infrastructure and environmental commodity businesses. To date, Sol has developed and/or financed over 850 MW of solar projects valued at more than $1 billion for Fortune 100 companies, municipalities, counties, utilities, universities and schools. The company also actively shapes and trades in environmental commodity and electricity markets throughout the United States. The company was founded in 2008, is based in Washington D.C, and is led by its founder. Sol Systems works with its team, partners, and clients to create a more sustainable future we can all believe in. For more information: www.solsystems.com
To pay homage to our dedicated customer service team at Sol Systems, we are launching our Service Spotlight Series! This interview series will provide the opportunity for our customers and partners to get to know their customer service representatives and learn about what goes into serving our 15,000 customers each day. Our series continues with Javier Chacon, an SREC Customer Operations Analyst at Sol Systems.
1.What motivated you to pursue a career in renewable energy?
Javier Chacon is an SREC Customer Operations Analyst at Sol Systems.
I started my studies at UNC’s Kenan–Flagler Business School. I took basic business courses focused on an array of topics, topics that did not attract me that much. I’ve always been interested in mission-driven classes and as I continued my studies; I took sustainability courses and a capstone class with someone at the university who was in the environmental space. This sparked my interest because I could apply my business school skills and make connections for my professional development. From that moment on, I knew that I wanted to be in renewables space where I could apply the work and skills fostered from my college experiences.
2. How have your previous roles prepared you to transition to your current role on the SREC team?
The previous experiences I gained with school and internships were diverse and data-oriented. In my current role, I work with our databases to visualize and make data accessible in ways that will help the SREC team develop insights into our operations, see trends within our data, and track our progress to our goals. The diversity of my past experiences has helped me work well in a team and company where I get the opportunity to wear a lot of different hats and take on a wide array of responsibilities. A lot of the work I do requires me to be very detailed-oriented, which has been very useful in helping me stay accountable and organized for every aspect of my job.
3. What’s your favorite part of working on a customer service team?
My team. Working in this job requires a huge amount of information to make the machine run smoothly. You are really connected with the task of working and working together as a team. The culture is very caring and that is constantly communicated. We encourage each other to step into roles when others need help. We are always there for each other because we care, so it fosters a positive atmosphere for working.
4. What are some of the highlights of your time so far at Sol Systems?
I have two distinct highlights of my time at Sol so far. One being an SREC team building activity at Pinstripes where I was able to talk, hang out, and meet everyone. It was a great team bonding experience. The other highlight is having my article about Investing in equitable access to solar energy for Hispanic communities published by PV Magazine I never knew I could contribute to my community in that way and Sol Systems supported me throughout the entire process. I feel so grateful for this opportunity – it is really exciting.
5. Outside of Sol Systems, what do you like to do for fun?
I love doing anything outdoors, especially back-country backpacking. I am also very passionate about music and visual art. I also enjoy dancing! I grew up dancing all kinds of Latin dances with my family and was on a team in college that focused on Salsa, Bachata, and Rueda. These three things take up a good majority of my time.
ABOUT SOL SYSTEMS
Sol Systems is a leading national solar energy firm with an established reputation for integrity and reliability across its development, infrastructure and environmental commodity businesses. To date, Sol has developed and/or financed over 850 MW of solar projects valued at more than $1 billion for Fortune 100 companies, municipalities, counties, utilities, universities and schools. The company also actively shapes and trades in environmental commodity and electricity markets throughout the United States. The company was founded in 2008, is based in Washington D.C, and is led by its founder. Sol Systems works with its team, partners, and clients to create a more sustainable future we can all believe in. For more information: www.solsystems.com
[caption id="attachment_7706" align="alignright" width="240"] William Graves is a Senior Business Development Manager on the Sol Customer Solutions (SCS) team.[/caption]
“The long-term success of a solar market boils down to success in three critical areas: people, community, and policy” said William Graves,who has been developing solar markets for Sol Systems for nearly a decade. William is running to serveontheBoardof Directors of the New York Solar Energy Industry Association (NYSEIA)and roll up his sleeves to help make this market thrive.
William brings access to the experience and expertise at Sol Systems. Sol has been active in the New York market with nearly 20 MW of solar developed or financed since 2014. In 2018, Sol significantly expanded its presence in New York as a primary strategic focus. Today, Sol develops and finances community solar, remote net metering, and behind-the-meter solar power resources in the state.
New York Solar Energy Industries Association (NYSEIA) is the only statewide membership and trade association dedicated solely to advancing solar energy use in New York State. NYSEIA represents hundreds of businesses across New York that employ thousands of workers throughout the solar value chain. Led by its board of directors, NYSEIA strives to achieve significant, long-term, and sustainable growth of solar energy for New York State. The organization also educates the public, legislators, policymakers, and regulators on the environmental, economic development, and energy-supply benefits of solar energy use.
Based in Brooklyn, Williamseeks to protect the policy wins that the solar industry has achieved in New York while expanding those policies to create a sustainable market. His focus at Sol Customer Solutions, a joint venture between Sol Systems and Capital Dynamics, is to develop and finance community solar projects, remote net metering, and behind the meter solar and storage assets.He offers first-hand knowledge of, and experience in, how policy, market design, financing, and the development cycle coalesce to create both financeable projects and growth opportunities for communities across the state. William is passionate about ensuring that the solar industry leaves a positive, long-lasting mark on society and provides a jump-start toward the recovery of our nation amid the global pandemic.Today more than ever, with the key issues solar faces as an industry, William is committed to working with both the solar community and policymakers to build a better, more inclusive solar market.
ABOUT SOL CUSTOMER SOLUTIONS
Sol Customer Solutions (SCS) offers commercial, municipal, and educational customers competitive and compelling renewable energy solutions. As businesses, cities, and schools increasingly transition into more sustainable, resilient and low-cost energy, SCS focuses on delivering a comprehensive and integrated suite of renewable energy and storage solutions.
As a joint venture between Sol Systems and Capital Dynamics, SCS provides new access to large pools of institutional capital alongside one of the most experienced solar finance and development platforms in the United States. SCS leverages Sol’s sdevelopmentexpertise and customer relationships alongside Capital Dynamics’ Clean Energy Infrastructure business platform with approximately $16 billion of assets under management to achieve renewable energy solutions for commercial, industrial, institutional, and municipal customers. For more information, please visit https://discover.solsystems.com/
Sol Rolls out Resources for Spanish-Speaking SREC Customers
Company News |
By The Sol Systems Team
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Sol Systems’ SREC team has launched a new Spanish resource center for our SREC customers.
Solar renewable energy credits (SRECs) are fairly complex. So,
when communicating with Spanish-speaking customers, Sol’s SREC customer service
team has faced difficulties answering questions, and until now, has not had any
translated resources to share. At Sol, we are high touch, so we wanted to do
more for our Spanish-speaking customers so they would feel comfortable reaching
out with questions, and so that installers would confidently send
Spanish-speaking customers to Sol Systems.
Our Solution
Sol’s SREC team is taking the first steps to provide helpful
Spanish language services. We are translating our most frequented and important SREC Help Center* articles,
and now have customer service representatives that speak Spanish. Moving
forward, the team will continue to offer help center articles in Spanish for a
more complete set of resources.
"We’re committed to helping break down barriers that prevent Hispanic communities from accessing solar energy,” said Kate Brandus, Director of SREC Asset Management at Sol.
We encourage customers and installer partners alike to
contact us in Spanish when they need assistance with their SRECs.
*In March 2020, the Sol Systems SREC team rolled out Zendesk, a customer service software that offers call and email management and a website platform for posting helpful content like tutorials, FAQs, and SREC-related articles. The ability to have resource centers in different languages is among the more exciting features of the Zendesk platform.
It’s National Customer Service Week! This week, we recognize and celebrate excellent customer service. To pay homage to our dedicated customer service team at Sol Systems, we are launching our Service Spotlight Series! This interview series will provide the opportunity for our customers and partners to get to know their customer service representatives and learn about what goes into serving our 15,000 customers each day. The start of our series features Abbie Borowski, an SREC Customer Operations Analyst at Sol Systems.
Abbie Borowski is an SREC Customer Operations Analyst at Sol Systems.
1. What brought you to Sol Systems?
I’ve always had an interest in being a part of the renewable energy industry. Right after college, I was the Assistant Director of an Upward Bound program in Vermont, where I worked with first-generation, college-bound high school students from modest-income backgrounds. This was an incredibly rewarding job, but as I was helping each student chase their dreams, I knew I was not fully chasing my own. I decided to leave that role for an entry level sales position with a solar installation company in Maryland. After a little while I ended up leaving the sales team and moved over the operations side of the business, quickly realizing it that was where I wanted to be all along. Under my prior role, I was responsible for maintaining customer relations and installation timelines. I loved it! However, I wanted to explore renewable energy credit (REC) trading and post permission to operate (PTO) processes. Eventually, I saw an advertisement for a SREC Analyst position in DC and applied. I ended up getting the position with Sol Systems in 2019. The experience I gained from my time working for a solar installer provided an excellent foundation for me to transition into my current role at Sol Systems.
2. What sparked your interest in renewable energy?
I went to school for Sustainability Studies. My program was a broad scope of how to apply sciences to world sustainability practices. I was a first-generation college student and obtained a lot of support from my peers and professors to excel my professional development in this field. I knew I wanted to be in the renewable space and was able to drill that interest down further to find that I wanted to specifically be in the solar industry. I am fascinated by alternative energy sources and the different relationships they have with the utility grid.
3. Why do you like working in SRECs specifically?
SRECs are a unique sector of the solar industry that most people may not know much about. This type of work is fast pace and ever changing, from the Trading Operations to understanding the intricate policy of each SREC market, I still learn new things every day. Another interesting aspect of our customer relationship is that we pay customers, they don’t pay us. Our goal is to provide excellent service every step of the way.
4. What's your favorite part of working on a customer service team?
My favorite part about my role specifically is working on account maintenance and being a part of every process that must happen on the back end for a customer to receive their SREC payment. Along with that, our team structure is stellar we all work together wonderfully and have excellent leadership to guide us. All the tasks we execute daily are a part of a bigger picture and it is very rewarding to see our team accomplish major milestones along the way.
5. Outside of Sol Systems, what do you like to do for fun?
I love to knit; I love everything about it – the different yarn options, the diverse patterns, the joy you get when you finish a project, everything! I also enjoy cycling and running. I strive to take advantage of anything I can do outside.
ABOUT SOL SYSTEMS
Sol Systems is a leading national solar energy firm with an established reputation for integrity and reliability across its development, infrastructure and environmental commodity businesses. To date, Sol has developed and/or financed over 850 MW of solar projects valued at more than $1 billion for Fortune 100 companies, municipalities, counties, utilities, universities and schools. The company also actively shapes and trades in environmental commodity and electricity markets throughout the United States. The company was founded in 2008, is based in Washington D.C, and is led by its founder. Sol Systems works with its team, partners, and clients to create a more sustainable future we can all believe in. For more information: www.solsystems.com
William Graves is a Senior Business Development Manager on the Sol Customer Solutions (SCS) team.[/caption]
