The Solar Foundation
The Solar Foundation was a public charity based in Albany, New York. Formed in 1977, it supported solar-energy adoption through leadership, research, capacity building, and programs involving local governments, workforce development, and the solar industry. Its 2021 filing is marked as the organization’s final return, so it appears to have wound down.
The Solar Foundation at a glance
In short: The Solar Foundation gave $394K across 10 grants in 2021 (avg $39K), top state District of Columbia. Source: 2021 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2021)
- $394,421
- -61.4% vs 2020
- Grants made (2021)
- 10
- -9.1% vs 2020
- Average grant
- $39,442
- -57.6% vs 2020
- Median grant
- $30,515
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (46% of itemized 2021 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2021 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2021; updated September 2026.
How to apply to The Solar Foundation
- Contact
Mailing address: 125 Wolf Road 207, Albany, NY 12205
Phone: (518) 621-7379
Website: https://thesolarfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Solar Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2021
The largest 2021 recipient was University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez ($104K). Together the top 10 received $394K.
Grant Size Distribution
21 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 10 grants of 21 (48%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2021 grant dollars went primarily to recipients in Washington, DC (46%) and Puerto Rico (26%), followed by New York (12%), Virginia (7%), and Massachusetts (3%). Other listed recipients were in California and Vermont.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2021 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Solar Foundation gives
- 100% of 2021 grantees were also funded in 2020. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2021, annual grant giving ranged from $394K (2021) to $1.0M (2020). In 2021 it made 10 grants totaling $394K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez Mozambique, PR | Technical Assistance Under Federal Grant | $104,219 |
| US Chamber of Commerce Foundation Washington, DC | Technical Assistance Under Federal Grant | $62,047 |
| Solar Energy Industries Association Inc Washington, DC | Technical Assistance Under Federal Grant | $59,175 |
| North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners Inc Clifton Park, NY | Technical Assistance Under Federal Grant | $49,170 |
| National Association of Counties Research Foundation Washington, DC | Technical Assistance Under Federal Grant | $32,432 |
| Brooks Engineering Richmond, VA | Technical Assistance Under Federal Grant | $28,598 |
| National League of Cities Institute Washington, DC | Technical Assistance Under Federal Grant | $25,820 |
| The Cadmus Group LLC FKA Meister Consulting Group Inc Waltham, MA | Technical Assistance Under Federal Grant | $13,488 |
| Electric Power Research Institute Palo Alto, CA | Technical Assistance Under Federal Grant | $10,977 |
| The Regulatory Assistance Project Montpelier, VT | Technical Assistance Under Federal Grant | $8,495 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | — | $1,336,664 | $1,592,212 | $394,421 | 10 | $8 |
| 2020 | $1,680,261 | $3,337,442 | $3,371,093 | $1,022,866 | 11 | $23 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation stated its mission was “to accelerate adoption of the world's most abundant energy source: the sun” and to develop solutions for integrating solar and solar-compatible technologies into daily life.
Its filing described several programs. SolSmart provided recognition and no-cost technical assistance to municipalities and counties seeking to make solar installation faster, easier, and more affordable. Solar Ready Vets Network connected transitioning service members and veterans with solar-industry training, credentials, and employment opportunities. The Puerto Rico Solar Business Accelerator supported workforce development, finance, and microgrid development in Puerto Rico. Other programs included technical assistance to local governments related to the American Cities Climate Challenge and the Solar Jobs Census, an annual review of employment in the U.S. solar industry.
Grantmaking
In 2021, the foundation reported 10 grants totaling $394,421. Grants ranged from $8,495 to $104,219, with a median of $30,515. All 10 itemized grants listed “technical assistance under federal grant” as their purpose.
The largest grants included $104,219 to the University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez and $62,047 to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Other notable awards were $59,175 to the Solar Energy Industries Association, $49,170 to the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners, and $32,432 to the National Association of Counties Research Foundation.
The supported organizations’ own stated missions included the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s work to harness business to create solutions for the good of America and the world; the Solar Energy Industries Association’s work to advance solar and storage through advocacy and education; the National Association of Counties Research Foundation’s work to develop and distribute knowledge about county government; and the National League of Cities Institute’s work to equip locally elected officials with tools and knowledge to govern effectively.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2021 filing listed Mary Powell as chair; Scott Sklar as secretary/treasurer; and Abigail Hopper, Lee Peterson, and Thomas Starrs as directors. The filing also stated that, beginning November 15, 2020, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, through its president and CEO Larry Sherwood, provided day-to-day management services in consultation with the foundation’s board.
The Solar Foundation is led by Mary Powell, Chair on every filing since 2020; none of the 5 officers listed in 2021 report compensation.
Officers on the 2021 filing
Mary Powell
Chair
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Abigail Hopper
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lee Peterson
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Starrs
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Scott Sklar
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Andrea Luecke President (2020) — Executive Director -
- Former: Edwin H. Gilliland (2020) — Senior Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2021. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about The Solar Foundation
How much does The Solar Foundation give each year?
The Solar Foundation gave $394K across 10 grants in 2021, according to its 2021 IRS Form 990. In 2020 it gave $1.0M across 11 grants.
What is The Solar Foundation's typical grant size?
The Solar Foundation's median grant in 2021 was $30,515, and its average grant was $39,442, across 10 grants on its 2021 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Solar Foundation give grants?
The Solar Foundation's top state is District of Columbia, with 46% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2021 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Puerto Rico (26%) and New York (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (4 grants).
Does The Solar Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2021: none of the 10 grants with a stated purpose on The Solar Foundation's 2021 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Technical Assistance Under Federal Grant" (10 grants).
Who are The Solar Foundation's largest grantees?
The Solar Foundation's largest 2021 grantees include University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez ($104,219), US Chamber of Commerce Foundation ($62,047) and Solar Energy Industries Association Inc ($59,175), according to its 2021 IRS Form 990. Together they received 57% of its itemized 2021 grant dollars.
What does The Solar Foundation fund?
The foundation stated its mission was “to accelerate adoption of the world's most abundant energy source: the sun” and to develop solutions for integrating solar and solar-compatible technologies into daily life. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Solar Foundation?
The Solar Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check thesolarfoundation.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The Solar Foundation's EIN?
The Solar Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-1089260. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2021.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 4, 2022)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2021
Live grants for the work The Solar Foundation funds
Science & Technology Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Solar Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from The Solar Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
The Solar Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?