MOVE Together For Community Energy
When federal funding disappears, community action begins. Help us unlock millions in clean energy investment for schools, churches, hospitals, and community centers across America.
What We Do
MOVE unites nonprofits, philanthropies, and local organizations to build small-scale solar and energy resilience projects (1.5MW or less) across the United States. Our mission is to democratize clean energy, create local jobs, and build community resilience.
We provide the project management platform and financial framework to ensure every partner can originate, develop, and manage sustainable energy projects efficiently and transparently.
Why It Matters
Recent federal cuts mostly affected large solar and wind projects, but systems 1.5 MW or less are still protected — and fully eligible for federal Investment Tax Credits (ITC) and direct payments from the U.S. Treasury.
To qualify, a project just needs to start construction or spend 5 % of its cost by July 5, 2026. Smaller projects easily meet this requirement through early planning, design, and permitting costs.
These projects have four years to finish and can receive up to 30–50 % of their cost back through federal incentives.
MOVE helps nonprofits across the country start and manage these small-scale solar installations using Open Doors’ project platform — turning early philanthropic funding into long-term clean energy and community resilience.
Community Lighthouses Project of New Orleans
In New Orleans, Together New Orleans’ Community Lighthouses network is transforming disaster response by turning churches and community centers into solar-plus-battery resilience hubs that offer power, cooling, charging, food, and medical support when the grid fails. The idea launched after Hurricane Ida knocked out citywide electricity for about 10 days. In the 2024 storm Francine, 9 hubs opened within hours to support thousands. Today, the project has built 13+ operational lighthouses locally, with plans for 85–100 hubs statewide.
Our Leadership Team
Lane Sharman
President, Open Doors Management, BWX INC
Lane Sharman began in software engineering and systems programming before leading California’s first independent water credit exchange, establishing Solarpack’s California subsidiary, and overseeing utility solar projects. He has planned residential and commercial water and power systems and founded the Solana Energy Alliance, San Diego’s first Community Choice Aggregation. Lane’s expertise spans technical, financial, and operational areas, ensuring projects are compliant, audit-ready, and aligned with community and institutional goals.
LinkedIn Profile →
Dr. Jose Torre-Bueno
Executive Director, Center for Community Energy
Dr. Jose Torre-Bueno is a green technology scientist and advocate with 16 years of experience creating cost-effective renewable energy solutions and promoting sustainable community programs. He has deep expertise in solar energy, EV charging, battery technology, utility rate analysis, and energy demand modeling. Actively supporting distributed energy systems and Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs), he works with regulators, government officials, and community leaders. Known for leading scalable energy programs, Dr. Torre-Bueno bridges policy, finance, and operations to expand clean energy access and resilience across U.S. communities.
LinkedIn Profile →
Stuart Smits
Lawyer, Community and Financial Advisor
Stuart L. Smits is a veteran California attorney, licensed since 1975 and based in Sacramento, specializing in land use, zoning, and infrastructure law. He has decades of experience structuring collaborative partnerships and complex legal frameworks for sustainable development, regulatory approvals, and project finance. His work enables efficient, compliant, and legally sound implementation of projects.
LinkedIn Profile →
Susan Wayo
Director of Operations, Center for Community Energy
Susan Wayo has over 20 years of experience helping companies define business models, build brands, evaluate technologies, and grow capabilities. She has worked across industries from startups to global corporations, delivering competitive products and measurable value. Susan holds a Bachelor’s in Music Education (North Central College) and a Master’s in Opera Performance (University of Cincinnati) and also pursued doctoral studies, computer science, and an MBA before moving to California in 2000.
LinkedIn Profile →Center for Community Energy
The Center for Community Energy is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to advancing community-based renewable energy solutions across the United States.
Our team has worked together for more than a decade, bringing deep knowledge of policy, technical, tax and management terrain. We are eager to move forward with collaborators, project sponsors, EPCs, community activists and like-minded non-profits.
We actively recruit advisors and collaborators to federate with organizations seeking to accomplish the same goals. Our software platform is available for use at low cost to any project in the US.
How Your Contribution Creates Impact
You Contribute
Make a strategic gift of 10% toward a community solar project. Choose by geography, institution type (school, hospital, church), or specific project.
Safe Harbor Secured
Your contribution covers critical upfront costs—planning, engineering, permits. This expenditure before July 2026 guarantees federal tax credit eligibility.
Project Completion
With federal incentives locked in, the community secures remaining funding through bonds, financing, and their own contribution. Projects complete within four years.
Federal Credit Delivered
Upon completion, the US Treasury sends a direct payment (for non-profits) or provides tax credits, covering 30-50% of total project costs.
Community Benefits
Ripple Effects
Successful projects inspire neighboring communities. Your initial gift catalyzes a movement toward energy resilience and local economic development.
Philanthropic Catalysis in Action
See how modest philanthropic contributions unlock substantial community energy infrastructure
| Total Project Cost | Your 10% Gift | Additional Investment Unlocked |
|---|---|---|
| $200,000 | $20,000 | $180,000 |
| $400,000 | $40,000 | $360,000 |
| $800,000 | $80,000 | $720,000 |
| $1,500,000 | $150,000 | $1,350,0000 |
- A philanthropic contribution of $150,000 unlocks $1,350,000 in additional project investment. Scaled nationally, this becomes a multiplier for climate action, energy democratization and local economic development.
Make Your Contribution Count
Join us in building a resilient, sustainable energy future for communities across America.