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Programs

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Empowering Health and Sustainability (EHS)

With the support of the Kresge Foundation, the B.O.S.S. initiative is creating a scalable, data-driven plan to develop renewable energy infrastructure in hospitals, particularly those serving BIPOC communities. This effort aims to reduce power outages, lower operating costs, and build community wealth through partnerships with Black-owned solar businesses.

Why Hospitals? Why Now?

 

Hospitals as Critical Energy Hubs

Hospitals consume about 2.5 times more energy per square foot than standard commercial buildings due to their 24/7 operations and life-saving equipment. This makes them ideal for resilient and clean energy solutions. While many have carbon reduction goals, they often lack the necessary partners for implementation. As trusted community institutions, hospitals can drive local economic development through sustainable investments

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The Urgency of This Moment

The healthcare sector is prioritizing energy resilience and sustainability. Hospitals are seeking to diversify their supplier base, creating opportunities for minority-owned businesses. Rising energy costs are motivating institutions to explore long-term, cost-saving clean energy options. The B.O.S.S.network is poised to leverage collective expertise and partnerships.

 

​What We're Exploring

Supported by the Kresge Foundation, B.O.S.S. is researching hospital energy needs and Black-owned solar solutions, focusing on:

  • Energy usage patterns and solar integration opportunities 

  • Barriers to solar adoption in BIPOC-serving hospitals 

  • Strategies for operational efficiency and sustainability 

  • Cost-saving potential through partnerships with Black-owned solar providers 

  • The role of policy in enabling these partnerships 

  • Economic benefits for Black-owned solar businesses 

  • Community impacts of hospital-solar collaborations 

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This initiative aims to create a scalable implementation plan and knowledge base by the end of 2025, along with a portal to connect hospitals with Black-owned solar providers, setting the stage for action in 2026.

How to Get Involved

Join us in 2025 by serving on a monthly Working Group dedicated to crafting actionable solutions for implementation in 2026. We invite passionate individuals and organizations to contribute just 90 minutes a month and help drive impact in these key areas:

  • Technical: Innovate solar solution design and implementation

  • Financial & Policy: Navigate financing strategies and overcome policy barriers

  • Community Benefits: Promote community wealth-building and workforce development

  • Case Studies: Support the development and sharing of valuable insights

 

Stipends are available for nonprofits!

 

You can also help by connecting us with people in healthcare, clean energy financing, community development, and related fields. Please share information about paid graduate-level internships related to this project, or offer your thoughts in a brief 30-minute interview about program design.

 

Let’s work together to create a cleaner and fairer energy future.

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Reach out to camillepollan@blacksolar.org about any of the opportunities above, or for more information about the program.

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