Solar Head of State

What Solar Head of State does

Solar Head of State (SHOS) is a US-based nonprofit association founded in 2010 and headquartered in Oakland, California. The organization installs donated solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on the executive residences and iconic government buildings of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), with the explicit intent of making heads of state visible champions of renewable energy and catalyzing wider adoption. The model is directly inspired by US President Jimmy Carter's 1979 installation of solar water heaters on the White House.

The core service is a turnkey solar deployment program. Hardware is donated by technology partners including Solaria Corporation (PowerXT modules), Enphase Energy (microinverters), and Trina Solar (panels); engineering and installation are donated by local firms such as Sungevity (which executed the original 2010 Maldives project), Solar Island Energy, Noah Energy, and Envisage Energy; programmatic support is provided by the Clinton Climate Initiative, IRENA, and regional bodies including the OECS Commission and Pacific Islands Development Forum. Completed installations include an 11.5kW system at Muliaage in the Maldives (2010), a 5.4kW grid-tied system at Government House in Saint Lucia (2016), and a 15kW array at Jamaica House (2018), with additional projects announced for Tonga and Palau and a Clinton Foundation-backed commitment for 12 photovoltaic-plus-storage systems across OECS member states. SHOS also runs the Solar Challenge youth engagement programs in Jamaica (2018) and Guyana (2019).

SHOS operates as an entirely volunteer-driven organization with 30+ remote contributors and is funded by donations and in-kind contributions since inception. There is no commercial pricing model; recipient governments receive the systems at no cost. Go-to-market is B2G and event-driven, anchored on climate conferences (COP23, COP24, the Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum), earned media coverage in outlets such as the New York Times, Forbes, Al Jazeera, and National Geographic, and direct engagement through established SIDS networks. Founder and Director James Ellsmoor was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Energy list in 2017.

Name

Solar Head of State

Legal name

Solar Head of State

Website

https://solarheadofstate.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Solar Head of State is a volunteer-driven Oakland-based nonprofit that installs donated solar photovoltaic systems on executive residences of Small Island Developing States leaders to showcase clean energy and catalyze renewable adoption.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Renewable Energy Installation Services

NAICS

Solar Electric Power Generation (221114)

SIC

Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEUAMABAB

Solar EPC & Construction (Utility-Scale, Rooftop, Balance of System)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Renewable Energy (Solar, Wind, Hydro & Geothermal)/Solar Energy (PV, CSP, Rooftop & Utility-Scale)

SECONDARYIMADAFAO

Solar Roofing & Roof-Mounted PV Systems

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Building Materials & Products/Roofing Materials & Systems

Keywords

• Solar pv installation
• Renewable energy nonprofit
• Government solar programs
• Island nations energy
• Climate advocacy services

Headquarters

HQ city

Oakland

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, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and grants: Solar Head of State is entirely funded by donations since inception. The organization has been volunteer-driven and funded by donations since founding in 2010.
2. In-kind donations from partners: Solar panels, inverters, installation services, and expertise are donated by partner companies including Solaria Corporation (modules), Enphase Energy (microinverters), Trina Solar (panels), Sungevity (installation), and engineering firms. Clinton Climate Initiative provides programmatic support.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Solar Head of State is a nonprofit association that installs donated solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on the executive residences and iconic government buildings of heads of state, primarily in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), to create visible demonstrations of clean energy leadership. All equipment and installation labor are donated by technology and engineering partners, and the systems are delivered pro bono to recipient governments. The organization complements installations with youth-focused Solar Challenge competitions in Caribbean nations to build community awareness of renewable energy benefits.

Product overview

Solar Head of State is a nonprofit organization that operates primarily as a service-based initiative rather than a software product company. Its core offering consists of solar photovoltaic (PV) installation services on government buildings, paired with youth education programs. The main products include: (1) Solar PV Installation Services for heads of state and government buildings, delivered through partnerships with solar technology companies and local installers; (2) The Jamaica Solar Challenge and Guyana Solar Challenge, which are youth education programs that engage young people in renewable energy awareness through creative competitions. These programs are designed to inspire communities and build support for solar energy adoption across Caribbean and Pacific island nations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Solar PV Installation Services Pro bono installation of solar photovoltaic systems on executive residences and iconic government buildings of heads of state in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), delivered through donated equipment from technology partners (Solaria, Enphase, Trina Solar) and pro bono engineering services. For example, the 11.5kW Maldives system saves 200 tons of CO2 and $300,000 in lifetime government electricity costs.
• Jamaica Solar Challenge National competition for Jamaican youth aged 12–26 to design posters, songs, dub poems, animations, essays, poetry, plays, and videos that educate local communities about the benefits of solar energy. Delivered through CYEN's Caribbean chapters and educational institutions.
• Guyana Solar Challenge National competition for Guyanese youth aged 12–26 to create innovative communication projects (videos, essays, poetry, songs, art installations) that educate communities about renewable energy benefits. Delivered in partnership with CYEN and supported by MPC Renewable Energies GmbH.

Quantifiable outcome

• 11.5kW Maldives system: 200 tons carbon saved, $300,000 government savings over lifetime
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Clinton Global Initiative / Clinton FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 June 2019Commitment to Action through CGI Action Network on Post-Disaster Recovery. SHOS and OECS committed to install 12 photovoltaic systems with battery storage on key government buildings in OECS member states.
• International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 September 2018Confirmed member of IRENA's SIDS Lighthouse Initiative (36 SIDS + 21 development partners) and IRENA's Coalition for Action. Accelerates renewable energy transition in SIDS through coordinated support.
• Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 July 2018MoU signed to develop regional strategy for solar PV installations on key government buildings across OECS member states. First installation already completed in Saint Lucia.
• Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 November 2017Partnership to promote renewable energy across Pacific island nations. Joint events at COP23 with PIDF facilitating connections between SIDS and encouraging renewable energy adoption.
• Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 November 2017Launched partnership to promote renewable energy education across Caribbean region. CYEN manages publicity and engagement for Solar Challenges across its 20 island member chapters.
• Caribbean Climate Innovation Center (CCIC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrincipal sponsor of Jamaica Solar Challenge, providing prize money and support. CCIC helps grow sustainability-orientated ideas into fully-fledged businesses in Caribbean region.
• Carbon War RoomcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through Carbon War Room's 10 Island Challenge program. Each partner country offered free solar PV system on executive residence. Founded by Sir Richard Branson.
• Solaria CorporationcoreTechnology or IntegrationProvided PowerXT solar modules for Jamaica installation. CEO Suvi Sharma stated pride in helping Jamaica transition to clean energy.
• Enphase EnergycoreTechnology or IntegrationProvided microinverters for Jamaica installation. Previously provided inverters for Saint Lucia Government House system.
• Trina SolarcoreTechnology or IntegrationDonated solar panels for Saint Lucia and Jamaica installations. Founder Jifan Gao is a leading figure in China's solar industry.
• SungevitycoreTechnology or IntegrationCalifornia-based solar installation company. Major contributor to Saint Lucia project. Executed original Maldives installation with President Nasheed in 2010.
• Free Island EnergycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBritish Virgin Islands-based company that donated engineering and construction for Saint Lucia Government House installation.
• Noah EnergycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSaint Lucian company that donated engineering and construction for the Government House solar installation.
• DLA PiperminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInternational law firm (40+ countries) providing pro bono legal counsel. Fabio Lenzini based in Rome provides assistance in energy and infrastructure sectors.
• Power for AllminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal campaign dedicated to accelerating deployment of decentralized renewable energy. Supports SHOS goal of helping world leaders become green leaders.
• NAGICO InsurancesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCaribbean insurance provider (21 territories) partnered to promote expansion of renewable energy across Caribbean. Hosted reception at Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum.
• New Energy Events (Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerSHOS is a founding partner and media partner for CREF, the largest annual gathering of Caribbean energy market (500+ attendees from 50 countries).
• Solar Island EnergycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMissouri-based installation and engineering company that undertook Jamaica House installation work.
• Envisage EnergycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerJamaican solar installer providing installation support for Jamaica House project.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Island Innovation: Network and platform organization dedicated to sustainable development of island nations. Direct peer in SIDS-focused climate and renewable energy ecosystem work, sharing the same target audience of island government leaders.
• GRID Alternatives: US-based nonprofit solar installer delivering no-cost rooftop PV systems to low-income communities. Closely analogous operating model: donated equipment, pro-bono installation labor, mission-driven delivery of visible solar installations that create advocacy impact.
• GivePower: Nonprofit building solar-powered desalination and energy systems in developing communities. Comparable as a high-visibility solar deployment nonprofit that combines donated technology with development-finance partnerships in vulnerable regions.
• Vote Solar: US-based solar advocacy nonprofit whose policy director Adam Browning sits on SHOS's advisory council. Comparable mission-driven organization promoting solar adoption through policy advocacy and education.
• SolarAid: Nonprofit focused on solar access in developing countries, primarily Africa. Directly comparable as a donation-funded solar nonprofit that delivers tangible installations to underserved communities while advocating for renewable adoption.
• Solar Energy International: Nonprofit solar education and training organization. Peer in mission-driven nonprofit solar capacity building, complementary to SHOS's youth education Solar Challenge programs.

Broad incumbents

• IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency): Intergovernmental organization supporting SIDS renewable energy transitions, of which SHOS is a Coalition for Action member. Operates at much larger scale as the institutional convener of the SIDS Lighthouse Initiative that SHOS plugs into.
• Clinton Climate Initiative: Larger program within the Clinton Foundation focused on climate solutions in island nations and developing countries. Comparable as an institutional funder and partner that supports SIDS renewable energy projects at greater scale than SHOS.
• Rocky Mountain Institute: Major clean energy think tank and consulting nonprofit that absorbed the Carbon War Room's 10 Island Challenge. Broad incumbent operating across SIDS renewable strategy with substantially larger resources and policy influence.
• Sungevity: Solar installation company and historical SHOS partner that performed the original 2010 Maldives installation. Comparable as a rooftop solar EPC provider with overlapping geographic footprint in Caribbean/SIDS projects.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SolarHeadofST
• Facebookfacebook.com/solarheadofstate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

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 Solar Head of State