black owners of solar services

What black owners of solar services does

Black Owners of Solar Services (B.O.S.S.) is a Washington, DC-based nonprofit (EIN 87-1152840) founded in 2021 that operates as the nation's largest network of underrepresented professionals in the solar photovoltaic (PV) industry, with over 10,000 members and affiliates. Its membership comprises entrepreneurs, financiers, veterans, attorneys, engineers, contractors, and developers, and the organization serves secondary beneficiary groups including low-income and disadvantaged communities (LIDACs) through community solar initiatives and hospitals through renewable energy adoption programs.

B.O.S.S. generates revenue through a tiered annual membership model ($375/year Organizational Member; $1,500/year Sponsor Partner), advertising and sponsorship (newsletter ads, banner ads, email blasts, multi-tier event sponsorships), donations via a dedicated Affinipay portal, and conference registration fees. Core programs include the Empowering Health & Sustainability (EHS) initiative mobilizing mission-driven capital to BIPOC-owned solar firms serving healthcare facilities, and the LIDAC Community Power Coalition Program focused on community solar development, capacity building, and workforce development. Recurring engagement is driven by the monthly B.O.S.S. Leadership Series, the career center job board, and a planned online training academy. Strategic partnerships span SEIA, Sol Systems, AFS Law, Inclusive Prosperity Capital, Community Housing Capital, Grid Alternatives, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (under the Solar for All program), IREC, and multiple CDFIs and foundations.

The organization's go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, relying on in-person gatherings, conferences, and a national newsletter to acquire and retain members. The flagship 2026 Inaugural Conference and 5-Year Anniversary Celebration is scheduled for November 15, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, anchoring an annual event product with multiple registration and sponsorship tiers. Distribution is primarily self-serve through the B.O.S.S. Member Center, with channel partnerships extending reach to utilities, government agencies, and clean energy nonprofits.

Name

black owners of solar services

Legal name

Black Owners of Solar Services

Website

https://blacksolar.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Black Owners of Solar Services (B.O.S.S.) is a Washington, DC-based nonprofit operating the nation's largest network of underrepresented professionals in the solar PV industry, serving entrepreneurs, financiers, veterans, engineers, contractors, and developers through membership, advocacy, and clean-energy equity programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Solar Industry Professional Network and Advocacy Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Solar Workforce, Training & Safety Services (Installer Training, Certification, EHS) (EUAMABAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Solar Development & Subscription Management (EUAMAJAA), Solar Quality, Testing, Certification & Standards (Lab Testing, Inspections, Compliance) (EUAMABAN)

Keywords

• Solar industry network
• Professional membership services
• Clean energy advocacy
• Community solar programs
• Workforce development

Headquarters

HQ city

Bowling Green

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from Organizational Members ($375/year) and Sponsor Partners ($1,500/year). Membership includes access to events, networking, training, and member directory.
2. Advertising & Sponsorship: Revenue from newsletter ads, website banner ads, custom email blasts, event sponsorships (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze tiers), and career center advertising targeting over 10,000 members and affiliates.
3. Donations: The organization accepts donations through a dedicated donation portal on its website.
4. Conference Revenue: Registration fees for the annual conference including various ticket tiers, student registration ($200), and sponsorship packages.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Black Owners of Solar Services (B.O.S.S.) is a nonprofit membership network that connects and advocates for underrepresented entrepreneurs, contractors, financiers, engineers, attorneys, and other professionals working in the U.S. solar photovoltaic industry. It sells annual Organizational and Sponsor Partner memberships, runs equity-focused programs (EHS, LIDAC), hosts a monthly Leadership Series and an annual conference, and operates a Career Center for solar job placement. Revenue comes from membership dues, sponsorships and advertising, donations, and conference registration fees.

Product overview

B.O.S.S. (Black Owners of Solar Services) is a membership-based nonprofit organization serving as the nation's largest network of underrepresented professionals in the solar photovoltaic (PV) industry. The organization operates on a tiered membership model consisting of Organizational Membership ($375/year) for solar business owners and professionals, and Sponsor Partner Membership ($1,500/year) for corporations, foundations, and institutions seeking to support the network. The portfolio includes two key programs: the Empowering Health & Sustainability (EHS) Program focused on mobilizing capital for BIPOC-owned solar firms serving healthcare facilities, and the LIDAC Community Power Coalition Program targeting Low-Income and Disadvantaged Communities through community solar development. Additional offerings include the monthly B.O.S.S. Leadership Series (Lunch & Learn sessions), an annual conference (Inaugural Conference & 5-Year Anniversary Celebration), the B.O.S.S. Career Center for clean energy job placement, and a planned Online Training Academy for business development and certification.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• B.O.S.S. Organizational Membership Annual membership ($375/year) for business owners of solar services, entrepreneurs, veterans, attorneys, engineers, contractors, developers, and other solar industry leaders. Includes networking opportunities, Career Center access, monthly newsletter, member directory, discounted conference registration, online forums, resource library, and access to the B.O.S.S. Leadership Series.
• B.O.S.S. Sponsor Partner Membership Annual membership ($1,500/year) for individuals, corporations, foundations, nonprofits, associations, government agencies, financial institutions, and business service providers. Includes all Organizational Member benefits plus sponsorship at the Annual Conference, co-created content opportunities, priority website listing, new member logo placement, and one complimentary job posting.
• Empowering Health & Sustainability (EHS) Program

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, moderate and minor.

• Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association partnership providing access to industry resources, policy advocacy, and networking within the broader solar industry.
• AFS LawcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegal services partnership supporting members with solar industry-specific legal expertise.
• Sol SystemscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSolar development and financing partnership providing project opportunities and capital access for members.
• Community Solar AccesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership focused on community solar development and access initiatives.
• Grid AlternativescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit providing solar installation and job training for underserved communities.
• U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency partnership supporting clean energy initiatives and programs for underrepresented communities.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency partnership under the Solar for All program providing subawardee opportunities.
• ROC USAmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization supporting resident-owned communities, relevant for solar deployment in cooperative housing.
• Clean Energy GroupmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partnership focused on clean energy policy and market development.
• Carsey School (UNH)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership providing research and policy analysis support.
• PSEF NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork partnership for policy and sustainable finance initiatives.
• Charge PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership focused on charging infrastructure and clean transportation.
• InclusivmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization focused on inclusive clean energy and community development.
• Solomon GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsulting and implementation partner for clean energy projects.
• IREC (Interstate Renewable Energy Council)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization providing workforce development credentials and clean energy standards.
• Energy CommunitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership focused on energy transition in coal and fossil fuel communities.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Solar United Neighbors: Solar United Neighbors is a nonprofit that helps communities go solar through education, group purchasing, and advocacy. Comparable community-led solar adoption focus with B.O.S.S.'s grassroots programs targeting underrepresented communities.
• Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC): IREC is a nonprofit focused on clean energy workforce development, training credentials, and regulatory standards — closely aligned with B.O.S.S.'s training academy and IREC is a stated partner. Comparable in mission around workforce credentialing and policy advocacy for clean energy.
• Vote Solar: Vote Solar is a national nonprofit focused on solar policy advocacy and equitable clean energy access, particularly for underserved communities. Similar advocacy-driven, member-supported model and direct mission overlap with B.O.S.S.'s LIDAC and policy work.
• The Solar Foundation: The Solar Foundation is a nonprofit that drives solar workforce development, research, and education through programs like the National Solar Jobs Census. Comparable mission around solar industry research, training, and equity — adjacent peer in the solar nonprofit ecosystem.
• GRID Alternatives: GRID Alternatives is a nonprofit that installs solar for low-income communities and provides solar job training for underserved populations — overlapping mission with B.O.S.S.'s LIDAC and EHS programs. Both organizations target equity in solar workforce and deployment, and GRID Alternatives is an active B.O.S.S. partner.
• Blacks in Energy: Blacks in Energy is a nonprofit membership organization advancing Black professionals in the energy sector broadly. Highly comparable member-network structure to B.O.S.S., though B.O.S.S. specializes specifically in solar PV and underrepresented business ownership.
• Clean Energy Group: Clean Energy Group is a nonprofit focused on clean energy policy and market development, particularly for underserved communities. Already a partner of B.O.S.S. and directly comparable in mission on community-focused clean energy deployment and policy advocacy.

Broad incumbents

• National Urban League: The National Urban League is a large historic civil rights and economic empowerment organization with growing clean energy equity programming. Comparable in mission around advancing economic opportunity for underrepresented communities and operating a membership-supported, advocacy-driven model.
• Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA): SEIA is the national trade association for the U.S. solar industry, representing hundreds of solar companies and advocates. While much larger and broader in scope than B.O.S.S., SEIA is a direct strategic partner and serves a parallel member-based mission, making it the most comparable industry-association peer.
• NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Program: The NAACP's Environmental and Climate Justice Program addresses environmental racism and advocates for clean energy equity in communities of color — overlapping mission with B.O.S.S.'s EHS and LIDAC programs and representing a much larger established equity-advocacy platform.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/blackownersofsolarservices

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 black owners of solar services