About Us
Our Mission
To serve and educate the Toledo area community using solar energy in support of equitable sustainable development.
We fulfill our mission by financing, installing, and maintaining solar power systems that provide renewable solar electricity and financial benefits to LMI residents in the Toledo area. We also take part in outreach related to solar and environmental education and demonstration, assist and advise local organizations on going solar, and act as a community resource for sustainability. GCCS activities seek to reduce and eliminate climate change through implementation, operation, and education focusing on clean energy, including photovoltaics, energy efficiency, and environmental stewardship.
Our Story
Glass City Community Solar is a 100% volunteer-run 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was created by University of Toledo students and staff in partnership with community members to compete in the 2017 U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Solar in Your Community Challenge. We were one of only 30 proposals nationally to receive initial seed funding, and our project even made it to the final stages, where we received an honorary mention for our model for bringing solar to LMI communities!
Our Model
Glass City Community Solar aims to establish a sustainable economic model consisting of power purchase agreements (PPAs) that divert a fraction of the financial benefits of our arrays into a continuous fund for future installations and activities. We also partner with investors to take advantage of available renewable energy credits, as well as accept individual donations.
Finance Projects Using Cost Sharing and Renewable Energy Tax Credits
GCCS finances arrays by utilizing grants, fundraising, and previous array revenue and partnering with third-party investors or development firms. The third party shares the cost in exchange for the renewable energy tax credits (RETCs) that non-profits are unable to utilize.
Utilize Power Purchase Agreements and Transition Array Ownership
GCCS coordinates with solar installers and oversees the process from start to finish. We also are responsible for the arrays operation throughout its lifetime. After a mandatory 5-year period of ownership for the third-party investor to obtain RETCs, ownership and power purchase agreement (PPA) are transferred to GCCS.
Build a Revolving Fund To Fuel Projects and Outreach
PPA revenue supports GCCS operations and future projects. Momentum from projects in our portfolio will build on itself and increase the rate of development and community support we can provide.
Our Members
Volunteers
Faten Aburidi
Mechanical Engineering Student
University of Toledo
Randy Ellingson, Ph. D.
Professor of Physics, Photovoltaics
University of Toledo
Jared Friedl
Ph. D. Student, Physics (Photovoltaics)
University of Toledo
Bailey Frye
Ph. D. Student, Physics (Photovoltaics)
University of Toledo
Nadeesha Katakumbura
Ph. D. Student, Physics (Photovoltaics)
University of Toledo
Samietha Kummar
Chemical Engineering Student
University of Toledo
Eulogio Lopez
Masters of Science Graduate Student, Physics
University of Toledo
Olivia Osburn
Chemical Engineering Student
University of Toledo
Philip Ottinger
B.S., Electrical Engineering
University of Toledo
Zulkifl Hussain Rabbani
Ph. D. Student, Physics (Photovoltaics)
University of Toledo
Malhar Wable
Mechanical Engineering Student
University of Toledo
Board Members
John Kiely, Ph. D.
Board President
President and CEO , Vistula Management Company
Evan Nichols
Board Vice President
Application Engineer – Module and M-BOS, First Solar
Maria Ellingson
Chief Strategy Officer
Nick Strevel
Board Member
Vice President – Product Management and Technical Sales, First Solar