Third Act’s Solar Advocates Project uniquely allows elders to have a hands-on role working with solar developers at the local level to remove barriers and accelerate the rapid transition to solar energy. Through training and practice, the project mobilizes informed cadres of Third Actors within their communities to support specific solar and battery storage projects where local support can be make-or-break – notably at meetings where supporters can show up and influence the outcome; also at civic clubs, faith-based creation care committees, and house parties.
The Plan: Starting in Spring 2026, working groups, including Third Act Upstate New York, will organize regional cadres of Third Act volunteers for skills training on how to present factual information to local officials and their communities about the economic and environmental benefits of siting solar energy generation and battery storage systems within a given community. Working with Greenlight America and other solar industry advocates and partners like NYSEIA, Third Act UNY will gain insight into community and utility scale solar projects in early stages of the planning and development. Goals of our advocacy are to foster open-minded dialogue, share fact-based information, and respectfully counter mis-information (if/as needed) in the local context.
Rolling Out the Solar Advocates Project
To learn more about the program strategy and roll out, watch these short video clips from Bill McKibben, Michael Richardson (Third Act) and Lauren Langworthy (Greelight America) from the Solar Advocates Project Preview held March 16, 2026.
To introduce the Solar Advocates Program, Bill McKibben highlights the opportunities to do the thing that needs to get done – talk with local communities, planning boards, and neighbors about the important clean power work ahead.
Michael Richardson (Third Act Campaigns Director) explains the idea behind the Third Actors Solar Advocates Program. Advocates working in partnership with clean energy developers at the community level to help get the “yes” narrative going before the “no” narrative takes over.
Lauren Langworthy from Greenlight America shares their vision and the importance of preparing local advocates as partners in the community to build fact-based and productive dialogues around solar and BESS projects.
How will the program work? Michael Richardson (Third Act Campaigns Director) shares examples and training programs, in partnership with Greenlight America and others.