Partnering for Practical Progress: Conductor Solar and the Solar Finance Fund
From the very beginning, Conductor Solar has been a key partner of the Appalachian Solar Finance Fund (SFF), supporting the design and growth of a program that helps communities across Central Appalachia invest in cost-effective clean energy.
A Results-Driven Collaboration
Marc Palmer, CEO of Conductor Solar, plays a central role in the SFF leadership team. His firm is responsible for reviewing all SFF solar grant applications, ensuring each project demonstrates strong financial need, is well-prepared, and will deliver meaningful economic returns.
“Partnering with the SFF allows us to be on the front lines of solar in the central Appalachian region, which is rare for a software or finance company! This gives us the chance to hear directly from leaders of organizations seeking to go solar, which offers insights we wouldn’t otherwise have in our day-to-day work.”
“Conductor Solar is a for-profit company whose mission is to grow solar’s middle market. Our work with the SFF is directly doing just that, particularly on smaller projects which are tougher to support via Conductor Solar’s normal financing pathways” Palmer explains. This partnership ensures solar energy projects in Appalachia are financially sound, delivering lower utility bills, job opportunities, and energy independence for local communities.
Why It Works
Conductor Solar’s approach aligns perfectly with SFF’s focus on economic development through solar. By helping organizations reduce operating expenses and reinvest savings, the partnership advances smart energy investments that boost local economies.
Through SFF, Conductor Solar gains direct access to churches, libraries, small businesses, and local governments in the region, which are organizations seeking affordable solar power solutions but lacking the internal resources to get started. These insights help refine Conductor’s services and create better tools for the commercial and industrial (C&I) solar market.
A Standout Success: Lifeline Church of God
One of the most impactful joint efforts was with Lifeline Church of God in Princeton, West Virginia. The church proposed a 400 kW solar array—a sizable system that required both creative financing and fast coordination.
The SFF team, with support from Conductor Solar, quickly identified a third-party investor who could fund the system and leverage an SFF grant. The outcome was a solar project that reduced the church’s long-term electricity costs, freeing up resources to serve the community and demonstrating what is possible through public-private collaboration.
Advancing Solar in Appalachia
Through its work with the Appalachian Solar Finance Fund, Conductor Solar is helping lead the expansion of commercial solar projects in Central Appalachia. The partnership demonstrates how solar project financing, when executed effectively, can stimulate local investment, enhance resilience, and improve the bottom line for nonprofits and businesses alike.
When great partners come together with a shared goal, real progress happens.Learn more about Conductor Solar at https://conductor.solar
