Democratizing Solar: Inside a Worker-Owned Cooperative with Josh Stolzenburg and Jordan Kaiser, Northwind Solar | EP152

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Today on the Clean Power Hour, the renewables industry started with solar thermal (hot water), then small wind, and now PV dominates the scene. Northwind Solar is a worker-owned cooperative in Central Wisconsin that has witnessed these transitions so it’s a treat to have such a storied company on the show.  Our guests are Josh Stolzenburg, founder and CEO, of Northwind Solar, and Jordan Kaiser, design consultant and member-owner.

Josh Stolzenburg shares the origin story of Northwind and how it transitioned to a worker-owned cooperative structure in 2016. He explains how the cooperative model creates incentives for employees to provide quality work and allows the company to distribute profits more equitably.

Jordan joined Northwind in 2013, became a worker-owner a few years later, and now leads the commercial sales division. He discusses his experience joining Northwind and becoming a member-owner. He explains how the cooperative model empowers employees, improves accountability to customers, and makes Northwind more resilient as a business.

Josh and Jordan also share insights into how the cooperative distributes profits, brings in outside investments, and provides tax advantages. They also touch on the value of joining a solar cooperative like Amicus to access bulk-purchasing discounts and share knowledge.

Key Takeaways

1. How and Why in 2015, Josh transitioned Northwind into a worker-owned cooperative
2. The Advantages of being a worker-owned cooperative
3. How does being a worker-owned cooperative help Northwind recruit and retain dedicated employees?
4. In what ways does Northwind's model set them apart in the solar market?
5. How does the cooperative model distribute profits and bring in investments differently than a traditional company?
6. What role do buying cooperatives like Amicus play in providing collective benefits to solar companies?

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