About B.O.S.S.
B.O.S.S. is the nation’s largest network of under-represented professionals in the solar photovoltaic (PV) industry. Our members include entrepreneurs, financiers, veterans, attorneys, engineers, contractors, developers, and other industry leaders.
B.O.S.S. works to provide strategic training and access for members in the multi-trillion-dollar solar and clean energy market. B.O.S.S. intends to drive advancements in sustainability, infrastructure resilience, and economic growth—both in the United States and globally.
"We are committed to creating a more resilient, sustainable, and economically empowered future through shared knowledge, strategic partnerships." - Ajulo Othow, B.O.S.S. President
Our History and Vision
B.O.S.S. was launched in the Fall of 2020 after an inaugural Solar Equity Summit (SES) on September 29, 2020.
The policy of shaping markets to enhance accessibility for Black-owned businesses in the clean energy sector is essential. Energy equity is at the heart of B.O.S.S. We work to spotlight unfair practices and offer recommendations for collective actions to address these issues.
Today, our vision is to empower and uplift communities by fostering innovation, facilitating knowledge sharing, and advocating for equitable access to renewable and clean technologies.
The Problem
Many communities face significant environmental challenges, which are compounded by existing barriers in housing, education, and economic opportunity.
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The racial wealth gap will cost the U.S. economy between $1 trillion and $1.5 trillion between 2019 and 2028.
Business owners nationwide struggle to access federal support due to harsh restrictions, confusing applications, and a lack of peer mentorship.
An internal survey found that only 38% of applicants found the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and Solar For All Initiatives to be accessible to MBEs/WBEs/SBEs.
Derenoncourt, E., Hyun, C., Kuhn, M., & Schularick, M. (2022). Wealth of Two Nations: The U.S. Racial Wealth Gap, 1860-2020. National Bureau of Economic Research. https://doi.org/10.3386/w30101
The Need
Barriers to entry into the solar field are exceptionally and unnecessarily high. We asked our network, “What is the greatest impediment to securing financing for your business or your clean energy projects?”
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“Financing thresholds, minimum financing, is too high for our projects and conventional loan interest rates are too high, and VC funding returns are too aggressive 5-10X .”
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“Meeting underwriting requirements of traditional sources of funds.”
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“Timing and staffing. My business is scaling very quickly. Just need seed money to sustain.”
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“I have applied for numerous loans and programs and have never been able to secure any kind of business financing.”
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“Knowledge of Process.”
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“The age of my company. The company is in the second year.”
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“Knowledge about sources and requirements for grants and other funding.”
Our Solution
B.O.S.S. collaborates with for-profit, non-profit, and government organizations to provide the financing, technical expertise, and sponsorship opportunities needed to drive success across the photovoltaic (PV) industry and beyond.
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B.O.S.S. partners with firms, high-net-worth individuals, non-profits, and governments to provide institutional solutions that will assist under-represented solar developers in the United States and around the world.
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B.O.S.S. works with key agencies, including the White House and Department of Energy, trade associations, and community partners on multiple initiatives that support the clean energy industry and business development.
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Investing in under-represented renewable energy developers will ensure that the trillion-dollar transition to a low-carbon economy diversifies wealth creation and does not elude under-represented communities.