North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association

What North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association does

The North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization founded in 1978 and headquartered in Raleigh, NC. NCSEA drives public policy and market development for clean energy in North Carolina through advocacy before the NC Utilities Commission and the NC General Assembly, coalition building across a 300+ member base, and stakeholder engagement in regulatory proceedings. Its core programmatic areas span Power, Transportation, and Buildings, with active interventions in the biennial Carbon Plan (CPIRP) proceeding, transmission and interconnection, electric vehicle policy, building codes, and inclusive utility investment. NCSEA holds a Charity Navigator rating and maintains active intervenor status that has shaped major legislation including HB589 (2017) and HB951 (2021).

NCSEA's technology footprint is anchored by the Renewable Energy Database (REDB), a proprietary database described as the only one of its kind tracking clean energy system development across the Southeast, supplemented by the Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast (over 9,000 plays across 50+ countries), interactive Clean Energy Maps, the newly launched NC Residential Rate Impact Tool (May 2026), and the Making Energy Work Conference and Clean Energy in the Southeast (CLE) continuing legal education program. The organization operates via NeonCRM-based membership portal, email newsletter, and multi-channel social presence.

NCSEA generates revenue through six membership tiers (Individual, Government/Education/Non-profit, Business Basic, Business Advanced Small, Business Advanced Large, Student), donations and contributions, and event registration. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. Following the July 2021 merger with the North Carolina Building Performance Association (NCBPA), NCSEA absorbed building performance and energy efficiency programming under its brand, and current scale indicators include 15-20 staff, 300+ members, and direct board interlocks with NC State University, East Carolina University, Central Pines Regional Council, and the City of Asheville.

Name

North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association

Legal name

North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association

Website

https://energync.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NCSEA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1978 that drives clean energy policy and market development in North Carolina through regulatory advocacy, a 300+ member coalition, and the proprietary Renewable Energy Database (REDB).

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Clean Energy Advocacy and Policy (Nonprofit)

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) / Municipal Aggregation Retail Supply (EUAGABAF)

Keywords

• Clean energy policy
• Renewable energy advocacy
• Energy market development
• Clean energy nonprofit
• Regulatory advocacy services

Headquarters

HQ city

Raleigh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: NCSEA generates revenue through membership fees at various tiers including Individual, Government/Education/Non-profit, Business Basic, Business Advanced Small, Business Advanced Large, and Student levels. Membership provides access to policy updates, advocacy opportunities, marketing benefits, and data resources.
2. Donations and Contributions: The organization accepts donations from individuals and organizations supporting clean energy policy. Donations support advocacy efforts and disaster relief initiatives. The organization holds Charity Navigator rating.
3. Event Registration: Revenue generated from events including the Making Energy Work Conference, CLE programs, and various policy forums and educational sessions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

NCSEA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit membership organization that drives public policy and market development for clean energy in North Carolina. The organization actively advocates before the NC Utilities Commission and NC General Assembly on electricity, transportation, and buildings policy while providing its 300+ members with policy updates, advocacy opportunities, the proprietary Renewable Energy Database (REDB), market intelligence, educational programming (Making Energy Work Conference, Clean Energy in the Southeast CLE), and a continuing legal education credit program. Membership is offered at multiple tiers for individuals, governments, non-profits, and businesses of varying sizes.

Product overview

NCSEA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization that serves as the leading policy advocacy and market development organization for clean energy in North Carolina. Rather than offering a unified software product, NCSEA provides a portfolio of programs and services including educational resources (Clean Energy 101, Clean Energy Maps), media content (Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast), professional development events (Making Energy Work Conference, Clean Energy in the Southeast CLE), proprietary data tools (Renewable Energy Database), membership services across multiple tiers, and humanitarian initiatives (Disaster Relief Fund). The organization focuses on policy advocacy before the NC Utilities Commission and NC General Assembly, member engagement, and equity-focused clean energy solutions for all North Carolinians.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Membership Program Tiered annual membership program offering Individual, Government/Education/Non-profit, Business Basic, Business Advanced Small, Business Advanced Large, and Student tiers, providing members with biweekly Policy Updates, access to the Renewable Energy Database (REDB), regulatory filing access, market intelligence, advocacy opportunities, marketing support, and staff engagement for clean energy stakeholders in North Carolina.
• Making Energy Work Conference (MEW) NCSEA's flagship annual conference focused on clean energy policy, market development, and energy efficiency and electrification policies and incentives in North Carolina, designed for clean energy professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders.
• Clean Energy in the Southeast (CLE) Continuing Legal Education Program All-day continuing legal education program exploring clean energy law and regulatory matters currently at issue in North Carolina, delivering CLE credits to energy law professionals, attorneys, and regulatory stakeholders.
• Renewable Energy Database (REDB) NCSEA's proprietary database tracking the development of clean energy systems throughout North Carolina; the only comprehensive database of its kind in the Southeast, used to produce monthly REDB ROPC Reports and to support policy analysis for members and the broader market.
• Disaster Relief Fund NCSEA's clean energy disaster relief initiative providing temporary and long-term microgrids, power, water, and Wi-Fi solutions to Western North Carolina communities impacted by Hurricane Helene, in partnership with Footprint Project, Greentech Renewables, and Land of Sky Regional Council of Governments.
• Carbon Plan Integrated Resource Plan (CPIRP) Engagement NCSEA's active intervention program in NC Utilities Commission Carbon Plan Integrated Resource Plan (CPIRP) proceedings, advocating for accelerated clean energy deployment (solar, storage, wind) to meet the state's statutory carbon emission reduction mandates of 70% by 2030 and net-zero by 2050 in the electricity sector.
• NC Residential Rate Impact Tool Analytical tool published by NCSEA for analyzing the residential electricity rate impacts of energy policies and programs in North Carolina, supporting policy advocacy and stakeholder education.
• Improve & Save Inclusive Utility Investment Program Inclusive utility investment program co-developed by NCSEA with Duke Energy, designed to address the high energy burden experienced by low-to-moderate income North Carolina households (~19.8% of monthly income on utility bills), supporting affordable energy options and customer-side clean energy solutions.

Quantifiable outcome

• North Carolina achieved No. 2 ranking nationally in installed solar capacity
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and secondary.

• East Carolina UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 May 2026East Carolina University hosted its 2026 Sustainability Symposium on May 18, co-hosted with the N.C. State University Clean Energy Technology Center and NCSEA. The event brought together students, faculty, researchers, and industry leaders to discuss clean energy initiatives in North Carolina, featuring sessions on industrial solar deployment, energy efficiency, and storage infrastructure.
• N.C. State University Clean Energy Technology CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 May 2026Co-host of the 2026 ECU Sustainability Symposium alongside ECU and NCSEA. Steve Kalland, Executive Director of the NC Clean Energy Technology Center at NC State University, serves on the NCSEA Board of Directors. The partnership involves collaborative work on clean energy policy and programs.
• Duke EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCSEA works closely with Duke Energy on various regulatory proceedings and programs. Collaborated with Duke Energy to implement the 'Improve & Save' inclusive utility investment program. NCSEA engages with Duke Energy on customer clean energy programs, Green Source Advantage Choice, and Carbon Plan proceedings.
• Footprint ProjectmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCSEA partnered with Footprint Project and Greentech Renewables to provide critical need solutions through clean energy resources to Western North Carolinians impacted by Hurricane Helene. The partnership focuses on deploying temporary and long-term microgrids to provide power, water, and Wi-Fi.
• Greentech RenewablesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCSEA partnered with Greentech Renewables and Footprint Project to support disaster relief for Western North Carolina. Greentech Renewables is the largest solar distribution company in the U.S. with a facility in Raleigh serving residential and commercial installation companies.
• Land of Sky Regional Council of GovernmentsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCSEA partnered with Land of Sky Regional Council of Governments alongside Footprint Project and Greentech Renewables to provide critical need solutions to Western North Carolinians impacted by Hurricane Helene. The partnership focuses on deploying clean energy microgrid technologies in the most impacted communities.
• NC Conservation NetworkcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNC Conservation Network works with NCSEA on policy advocacy. Executive Director Brian Buzby described NCSEA as a critical partner for understanding decision-making arenas including the Utilities Commission and legislators.
• North Carolina Building Performance Association (NCBPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCBPA merged with NCSEA in July 2021, bringing together two leading voices in North Carolina's clean energy transition under the NCSEA name. This merger strengthened collective impact in the state's clean energy landscape.
• Carolinas Transmission Planning CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCSEA participates in the Carolinas Transmission Planning Collaborative, addressing transmission infrastructure needs in North Carolina and South Carolina. The collaborative enhances transmission planning by allowing stakeholders to participate in shaping the future transmission network.
• Central Pines Regional CouncilsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmily Barrett, Environment & Resilience Director at Central Pines Regional Council (serving 47 county and local government members), serves on the NCSEA Board of Directors. Coordinated Solarize the Triangle campaigns in 2022 and 2023.
• City of AshevillesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBridget Herring, Sustainability Director for the City of Asheville, serves on the NCSEA Board of Directors. The City of Asheville is implementing carbon reduction, renewable energy, and climate resilience goals.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Solar Energy Industries Association: National trade association for the U.S. solar industry, providing policy advocacy, market intelligence, and member services. Comparable in membership-based advocacy model and policy focus, though focused exclusively on solar at a national scale.
• Advanced Energy United: National business association representing the full advanced energy industry, with active engagement in state-level utility commission proceedings across multiple states. Comparable in regulatory advocacy focus but with a national footprint and broader technology scope.
• American Council on Renewable Energy: National nonprofit dedicated to accelerating the transition to renewable energy through policy advocacy and industry convening. Comparable in member-driven advocacy model and policy focus, though operating at a national level across all renewable technologies.

Regional players

• New England Clean Energy Council: Regional clean energy industry trade association serving New England. Comparable in regional membership-based advocacy model and convening function (annual conference, policy advocacy), though operating in a different geographic market.
• Appalachian Voices: Regional nonprofit advocating for environmental protection and clean energy across the Appalachian region, including Western North Carolina. Comparable in regional advocacy model and North Carolina footprint, though with a broader environmental mandate.

Direct peers

• Vote Solar: State-focused solar and clean energy policy advocacy organization with active programs across multiple U.S. states. Highly comparable in advocacy model, target audience (utilities commissions, legislators), and member-driven funding structure.
• Clean Energy States Alliance: Nonprofit coalition of state clean energy agencies and programs that supports state-level clean energy initiatives. Comparable in mission and constituency (state-level clean energy stakeholders) though membership is governmental rather than corporate.
• Clean Energy Group: National nonprofit providing policy analysis, technical assistance, and financial innovation for clean energy. Comparable in clean energy policy advocacy and focus on low-income energy access, though with a national rather than state-level scope.
• Southern Alliance for Clean Energy: Regional clean energy advocacy nonprofit operating across the Southeast, with a parallel focus on utility regulation, policy advocacy, and market development. Closest comparable peer to NCSEA in mission, business model, and Southeast U.S. geographic scope.

Emerging players

• Coalition for Green Capital: Nonprofit focused on establishing green banks and clean energy financing institutions at the state and local level. Comparable as an emerging mission-driven advocacy organization in the clean energy finance space, intersecting with NCSEA's C-PACE and inclusive utility investment work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nccleanenergy
• YouTubevimeo.com/nccleanenergy
• Facebookfacebook.com/NCSustainableEnergyAssoc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/north-carolina-sustainable-energy-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/nccleanenergy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association