What is a Certified B Corporation?
B Lab awards the prestigious B Corporation certification to businesses that balance profit with purpose. As a B Corporation, Clean Solar uses our business’s power to solve social and environmental problems facing our community and our country.
Clean Solar is one of 228 companies that have earned the “Best for the Environment” designation. The full assessment measures a company’s impact on its workers, community, customers, and the environment. Clean Solar has met the comprehensive performance standards to qualify for certification. Now, unlike traditional corporations, Clean Solar will join other Certified B Corporations and will be legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their employees, suppliers, community, consumers, and the environment.
In 2019, for the 3rd year in a row, B Lab recognized Clean Solar as Best for the World 2019 in the Best for Environmental category. Clean Solar is proud to be a B Corporation, along with over 3,000 companies from 150 industries worldwide, creating a positive environmental impact based on the comprehensive B Impact Assessment.
How we got here:
Randy Zechman and Jeff Ritchey, the founders of Clean Solar, were not just entrepreneurs seeking success in the solar industry; they were visionaries with a commitment to making a positive impact on the world around them. As they embarked on their journey in 2007, they believed that Clean Solar could be a catalyst for change, not only in the way people powered their homes but also in the way businesses engaged with their communities.
From the outset, Randy and Jeff instilled a culture of responsibility and transparency within Clean Solar. They understood that their decisions didn’t just affect their bottom line; they resonated across various facets of society. Their commitment to customer service wasn’t merely a marketing slogan but a genuine pledge to guide homeowners through the complex process of adopting solar energy.
“We saw an opportunity not just to provide solar systems but to partner with families, understand their needs, and empower them with sustainable energy solutions,” Randy explained.
Clean Solar’s dedication to customer service meant more than just efficient installations. It meant educating homeowners about the products used, the financial benefits, and the environmental impact of their choices. Randy emphasized the importance of transparency, stating, “Every homeowner we work with knows our plan, including what we are doing, its reasons, and when it will get done.”
Charity begins at Clean Solar:
This commitment extended beyond their immediate clientele. Clean Solar recognized its interconnectedness with the broader community, and as part of their corporate social responsibility, they pledged to donate a portion of their proceeds to local charity partners every year. The duo understood that success wasn’t measured solely in financial terms but in the positive influence they could exert on the lives of those less fortunate.
Their charitable contributions weren’t just a token gesture; they were a fundamental part of Clean Solar’s business model. The impact of these donations rippled through the local community, touching the lives of individuals and families in need. The company became not just a provider of solar solutions but a beacon of hope for those facing challenges.
As the years passed, Clean Solar’s influence grew, and so did their commitment to social responsibility. The employees felt a sense of pride working for a company that cared about more than just profits. Suppliers appreciated the reliability and ethical standards Clean Solar upheld in its business dealings. The community, in turn, benefited from both the clean energy solutions provided, and the financial support extended through charitable contributions.
Clean Solar’s customers weren’t just consumers; they were partners in a shared vision for a better, more sustainable future. The positive feedback loop of customer satisfaction, ethical business practices, and community engagement fueled the company’s growth.
In boardrooms and community meetings, Randy and Jeff continued to emphasize that success was not a zero-sum game. It wasn’t just about what Clean Solar could achieve for itself; it was about the positive change they could instigate in the world around them. Clean Solar became a model for businesses aspiring to blend profitability with purpose, demonstrating that corporate success and social responsibility could go hand in hand.
Through their dedication to customer service, transparency, and community engagement, Randy Zechman and Jeff Ritchey not only transformed Clean Solar into a thriving business but also into a force for good, proving that when a company’s mission aligns with the common good, everyone benefits.
It is this type of commitment that has earned Clean Solar the B Certified Corporation designation year after year!