This episode of “Solar Now and the Future with Its Economic Impact on Black America” focused on reviewing recent climate and energy events in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area during Climate Week 2026. Host Ronald Bethe discussed three key events: a Maryland Clean Energy Center forum at the University of Maryland, a Green Bank of Washington D.C. event at the Howard Theater, and a Greater Washington Clean Cities Collaboration Group event. The discussion covered various clean energy initiatives, including Maryland’s first investment through the Climate Technology Founders Fund in Hi-Tech, a company developing advanced materials and battery technologies. Bethe also highlighted challenges with renewable energy programs, particularly in Washington D.C.’s Solar for All initiative, noting financial shortfalls and difficulties in reaching low- and moderate-income residents.

The show concluded with an announcement about Ronald’s new role with Think Energy. As A Energy Advisor,any one interested in enrolling in the Community Solar Program. Which is Free of Charge can log on www.get.thinkenergy.com/SolarNowandTheFuture. The Community solar program is only available in deregulated markets at the present time and plans to discuss community solar programs in future episodes..

Ronald discussed Climate Week 2026 events in the Washington metropolitan area, focusing on a recent event at the University of Maryland’s College Park campus hosted by the Maryland Clean Energy Center. He highlighted the announcement of the first investment from the Merlin Innovation Accelerator through the Climate Technology Founders Fund, which went to Hi-Tech based in Beltsville, Maryland. Ronald expressed interest in understanding how state legislatures plan to fund these programs and make information available to communities of color.

Ronald discussed the first grant from the Climate Technology Fund (CTFF) to HITEC, a startup developing advanced catalysts and battery materials using a patented high-temperature processing method. He explained that the CTFF supports minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses focused on climate change solutions. Ronald also provided background on the Maryland Clean Energy Center, highlighting its mission to advance clean energy through innovative financing and project support, and mentioned meeting companies like Echoguard at a recent forum focused on building infrastructure retrofitting in Montgomery County.

Ronald discussed the Montgomery County Green Bank, a spin-off of the Maryland Clean Energy Center, and highlighted various companies working on clean energy solutions, including Zero Net Energy Systems (ZENS) co-founded by John Willis. He explained ZENS’s technology, which provides heating, cooling, and electricity off the grid, and mentioned their progress in technical validations and grant funding. Ronald also provided information about the Maryland Clean Energy Center’s mission and its role in promoting clean energy across the state, including receiving federal funding through the Inflation Reduction Act.

Ronald discussed the challenges facing the clean energy movement, attributing them to the influence of the fossil fuel and tech industries on the current administration. He highlighted the work of Malcolm Fabiyi, Ph.D. CEO of OptimaBiome Nigerian born engineer developing mobile carbon capture technology, and shared insights from recent meetings with Maryland environmental officials and a D.C. clean energy event. Ronald questioned the lack of investment in Black-owned media to promote these initiatives and criticized green banks for not doing more to support underrepresented businesses and communities.

Ronald discussed the Solar for All pilot program in Washington D.C., which was initiated by Ted Trabue, Mark Davis, and Darrell Green. He explained how the renewable portfolio standard legislation, signed by Mayor Bowser in 2016, requires 50% of energy to come from renewable sources by 2032, with solar energy being particularly challenging due to limited land in D.C. Ronald highlighted that the legislation was crafted with utility company attorneys at the table, resulting in green credits being passed through to customers, and noted that there are not enough solar systems to meet the requirements, leading to fines that are passed through to residents.

Ronald discussed financial shortfalls in the District of Columbia’s renewable energy program, highlighting $15 million and $25 million shortfalls passed to ratepayers in 2017 and 2018 respectively. He explained how legislation was passed over time to form the Renewable Portfolio Standard, but a drastic drop in RE value, exacerbated by the rescinding of a 30% federal tax credit, led to significant challenges in the solar industry. Ronald noted that over half of the 13,000 solar installation and design firms had filed for bankruptcy, and he described how former Public Service Commission head Mrs. Betty Ann Kane opposed moving funds from the energy fund to the general fund, which was intended to help low- and moderate-income residents reduce their energy burden by 2032.

Ronald discussed the impact of energy policies and data center operations on water usage and electricity bills in the District of Columbia. He highlighted issues with the Solar for All program, including budget cuts and challenges with community engagement. Ronald also mentioned developers like Mark E. James from Urban Green and Matthew Preston from Post Brothers, noting that developers are hesitant to invest in affordable housing in D.C. due to rental payment issues.

Ronald discussed his recent attendance at an event hosted by the Greater Washington Clean Cities Collaboration Group, where he learned about various green energy initiatives and met with entrepreneurs in the field. He highlighted the work of Sheryl E, Ponds from DatThechCorp and Delicia Gunn from Hempstulation, a company developing sustainable building insulation from hemp. Ronald also announced his new role with Think Energy as a Enery Advisor, Which any customer living in the PJM regulatory market area. Which is composed of 13 states and The District of Columbia our nation capital. That is paying a electricity bill with their local utility can sign up free of charge. By login on to acquisition company, and plans to host a future show about customer acquisition in the renewable energy industry, including information about community solar programs available to residents in the PJM region.

• Ronald/Positive Change Purchasing Cooperative LLC/National Association of Blacks in Solar: Follow up with Delicia Gunn (Hempstalation) regarding potential partnership and support for her manufacturing facility in Maryland.
• Ronald: Provide sign-up page information for Community Solar/Think Energy to the audience via the website or future communication.
• Ronald: Bring a guest from Think Energy onto the show to discuss the customer acquisition industry and Community Solar programs