Meet the Team: Cecelia Bolon
Here at Sunwealth, we’re building a hard-working team committed to building a better clean energy future. Today, we shine a spotlight on Project Development Associate, Cecelia Bolon.
Cecelia is responsible for overseeing the development of solar projects across the U.S., with an emphasis on low-income community solar projects in her home state of Massachusetts. Prior to joining Sunwealth, Cecelia worked at the Initiative for Energy Justice and the MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative. She holds an M.S. in Environmental Science and Policy and a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Northeastern University.
We sat down with Cecelia to hear more about why she’s passionate about her work.
On what brought her to Sunwealth:
I’ve focused my academic and professional career on advancing a just transition to a renewable energy economy. I was looking to pivot away from energy policy work to a role that would allow me to do direct renewable project development while still prioritizing energy justice. The project development team at Sunwealth allows me to do just that.
On her favorite Sunwealth project:
In the past few months, I’ve spearheaded an effort to engage Massachusetts commercial real estate firms in conversations around hosting low-income community solar projects on their properties. We’ve had amazing success with Boston Properties, and it’s exciting to see how many other commercial real estate investors are motivated by the social, economic, and environmental benefits that come with hosting solar.
“(R)enewable energy production is a great goal, but unless the fundamental values that govern our energy system change, any energy transition will replicate the injustices that are woven into our current system.”
On what excites her about the year to come:
I’m excited about new renewable technologies, but I am even more excited by the growing number of people who are thinking about HOW renewable energy innovations are deployed. The growth in the number of investments Sunwealth receives to develop impactful solar projects reflects a major shift towards tying renewable energy development with social impact. Seeing our solar installation and development partners, our investors, and policymakers think critically about and take action on who will reap the benefits of a renewable energy economy gives me hope that equity and justice can be centered as our energy system transitions.
On her previous experience and solar justice:
I previously worked for the Initiative for Energy Justice (IEJ), where my team and I provided research, policy, and legal support to advocates who work on energy justice issues. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of energy access for work and school, to power medical equipment, and more, yet over 30% of U.S. households report energy insecurity every year. My time at IEJ taught me that renewable energy production is a great goal, but unless the fundamental values that govern our energy system change, any energy transition will replicate the injustices that are woven into our current system.
On what drives her:
I want to make the world a more just and equitable place, and I am excited about working towards that goal in the commercial solar industry.