Member Spotlight: Charlee Thompson

In late January, Solar Washington interviewed Charlee Thompson, a member and board member of the organization. Charlee, who works as a Policy Associate with the Northwest Energy Coalition, shared her insights and experiences.

Solar Washington: When and how did you become interested in solar? 
Charlee Thompson: I first heard about climate change in elementary school, learning that humans were unintentionally harming many of the things that 12-year-old me loved and was fascinated by-- coral reefs, rainforests, and their inhabitants. Because I knew early on that I wanted to do something that would mitigate climate change and its impacts, I had a straightforward trajectory toward my career in clean energy policy.  My interest in solar specifically stems from our need for not only a clean energy transition, but a just transition. Solar is one of the clean resources that has additional value because it can more directly benefit historically underserved communities. And that's why I can't shake my interest in it.

SW: Why did you join Solar Washington and its board and what do you expect from Solar Washington?
CT: I work to advance equitable clean energy policy primarily at the utility and state level. I joined the Board because I wanted to offer this policy perspective, but also because I wanted to be a part of Solar WA's work bringing solar to our state on the community and household level.  One of the challenges clean energy technologies faces is simply whether everyday people understand how it works and how it can benefit them. I expect Solar WA to help tackle this challenge and to help Washingtonians connect the dots between solar and the broader clean energy transition -- what it is, why it matters, and how participating benefits them.

SW: What is next for you regarding solar?
CT: I want to be a part of figuring out what's next for WA solar policy, which means helping answer these questions: How do we expand access to community solar, how do we fairly compensate rooftop solar, and how do we make sure accurate information is out there regarding solar and battery incentives now that we have a new federal administration?

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  • Chantal Stevens
    published this page in Member Spotlight 2025-01-30 12:21:23 -0800

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