Governing Through Purpose: How Solar States Is Leading The Way For A Green Collar Economy

Micah Gold and Jael Blankenship navigate Solar States’ B Corp certification and how it helped position their company for success in the third episode of Get Down to Business: A B Corp Podcast. Micah’s advice is not just to do the right thing, but also to learn to document it. Keep your receipts, understand the processes, and be ready to show proof.

A Destined Alliance: How Solar States Joined The B Corp Movement

In the third episode of Get Down to Business, Micah Gold, founder of Solar States, and Jael Blankenship, CFO of Solar States, tell co-hosts Lauren Everett and Max Hayes about Solar States’ journey to becoming an advocate for the green economy—from installing solar projects across Philadelphia to training the next generation of green energy workers. 

Solar States received its first B Corp Certification in 2013. Being a part of the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia highlighted the need for a B Corp certification as a way to validate Solar States’ sustainability mission. However, it was a push from Micah’s business partner, at the time, that sealed the deal for Solar States. 

Micah had always known he wanted to build a business integral to the Philadelphia community, and getting certified was a path to fulfilling that dream. However, it didn’t happen as early as he had hoped. The cost of getting certified was a significant challenge for Solar States at the time.

As the company’s capacity grew, Micah’s business partner kept reminding him that claiming to live by sustainable standards wouldn’t always be enough to appease stakeholders; people had to be able to verify that claim, and a B Certification was the right way to do it. 

Initially, the ROI wasn’t high enough to justify the cost for Micah. And just when Micah was convinced that there was no recertification in Solar States’ future, the deal with Transition Town Media came knocking. It became a launchpad for the company. “When we went back and we asked what was the difference maker, they said ‘your mission and because you’re B certified’,” Micah admitted.

Green Documentation: The Right Way to Do ‘Good’ Business

Solar States’ mission is to be the on-ramp to the Green Collar Economy for inner city Philadelphia. “We’re here to try to be a resource for folks who are looking to find their way in,” says Micah. From barely graduating from high school to working multiple jobs to make ends meet, Micah notes he’s come a long way in finding his place in the Philadelphia society. 

Reading ‘The Green Collar Economy’ by Van Jones seeded the idea in Micah for founding Solar States. 

According to Micah, Solar States is helping average Americans connect with and support environmentalism. “We are not just here to pay people for work or provide whatever benefits, but really, we’re here to do what’s right for our communities.” Certifying as a B Corp helped reinforce Solar States’ business purpose early enough.

In Jael’s opinion, the first certification helped Solar States reflect its company’s mission and values in its bylaws. With three certifications underway and one more in the pipeline, Solar States has learned to demonstrate its credibility and communicate its commitment to green practices through newer and better policies, reports, and metrics. 

Beyond performing well on recertification assessments, Jael noted that documenting their green commitments has made it easier to educate employees on the company’s mission and values throughout the various stages of their growth in the company. 

How B Corp Certifications Build An Appetite for Excellence

Jael’s advice on how to perform better on assessments is clear, “Be more organized and create a larger group.” Reflecting on her early days at the company, Jael admits she struggled with keeping track of Solar States’ sustainability efforts. Documenting the progress wasn’t easy because they didn’t keep receipts from the onset, and didn’t have enough manpower on the task. 

Losing points on the recertification assessment has taught them to be better organizers. Now, Solar States uses gas cards to track its mileage, and software and spreadsheets for everything else. It also helps that the company has buy-in from mission-driven employees and that its directors are building everything it needs, too. 

It’s easier to show excellence than to teach it. Micah admitted that earning their first B Corp award motivated him to want to win more. That ethos of constant improvement challenges you to ask, “Why aren’t we the best at the other things, too?”, he added.

 Jael concluded that B Lab provides companies with several resources to help them beyond the certification process so they can build strong, sustainable businesses. 

Transparency and Accountability, The Building Blocks of Stakeholder Engagement 

Jael notes that having regular meetings to discuss the state of the company’s financials and plans for the future has improved the quality of decision-making at Solar States. “In terms of transparency, there’s nothing better than speaking to people and having them feel free enough to say whatever it is on their mind—good or bad,” says Micah. 

Nevertheless, adjustments had to be made in transparency around compensation. Allowing employees to know each other’s salaries caused pressure points regarding each person’s worth in the company, but replacing that knowledge with pay ranges has helped manage potential friction from pay disparities. 

The flip side of transparency is that it deepens the emotional bond between employees. According to Micah, “Understanding and you know, being in lockstep with the feelings of your coworkers is often how you’re going to feel when you go home.” When people understand what’s going on around them, they feel respected and more driven. 

Beyond employee engagement, embracing transparency and accountability in dealing with customers has been rewarding. Micah believes one of the most effective things B Lab did was to brand the B seal because branding influences purchase decisions. He notes that Solar States tries to lead with the B Corp logo when interacting with customers. 

Employee Ownership: A “Not-So-Far Away” Vision

“I think one day, the dream is to turn it over to the employees…It’s going to be challenging but I hope we get there,” says Micah. Networking with other employee-owned solar companies like Amicus Solar Cooperative, Namaste Solar, and ReVision Energy has strengthened his resolve to modify Solar States’ ownership structure in the future. 

Episode 3 of the Get Down to Business podcast, featuring Micah Gold, Founder of Solar States, and Jael Blankenship, CFO of Solar States, is available across streaming platforms, accompanied by video on B Lab U.S. & Canada’s YouTube channel. 

Copyright: B Lab U.S. & Canada