Strengthening Connections, Expanding Opportunities, and Driving Renewable Energy Forward
Networking
Through special events, strategic committees, and community engagement, our members gain access to a network of individuals and companies committed to growing and strengthening the renewable energy economy in Charlottesville and beyond.
We maintain a highly engaged and vibrant community through regular networking events. Of the six professional happy hours we typically have each year, half are held with like-minded organizations that share our values and goals.
Leadership
CvilleREA shares local expertise with all of our members to support the growth of the renewable energy economy throughout Charlottesville. By maintaining an active board of member company representatives, we maintain an integrated industry ecosystem connecting multiple sectors: wind, solar, storage, green fuels, energy efficiency, and emerging clean tech innovations.
Education
At least twice each year, we organize professional development programming designed to cultivate industry expertise and accelerate the career growth for our members. These sessions range from learning lunches to expert-led panels and dialogue—and cover topics such as contract negotiation, project finance fundamentals, management training, and more.
Policy and Advocacy
Working Group
We remain committed to making a difference locally by collaborating regularly with Charlottesville and Albemarle County to support the region’s transition to sustainable energy practices and to advocate for the growth of the local renewable energy economy.
Annual Policy Forum
Each spring, CvilleREA organizes a policy forum that brings together influential industry experts, decision-makers, and leaders from within and beyond the sector. These forums, alongside the working group’s efforts, have developed effective policy advocacy channels with Charlottesville government representatives and state policy makers who are shaping the industry.
Real world impact
Laying the groundwork
CvilleREA works at the state level to cultivate established productive relationships with policymakers — providing technical expertise that informs policy development while raising awareness about the local industry's capabilities and innovations. Further, we look to meet each year with key government representatives at state and federal levels to build relationships and strengthen their knowledge and understanding of our industry’s presence and importance.
Staying ahead
With its proximity to the intellectual capital at the University of Virginia and robust local technology sector, Charlottesville has become home to an innovative core of clean energy industries.
