Now more than ever we need to look in the mirror and make a proactive choice to be more environmentally friendly and sustainable. This is exactly what Kiara Smithee did when she decided to launch her own solar brokerage company. Kiara Smithee, Founder of Solar Solutions, sits down with Green.Org and shares her vision for the future of solar power sustainability.
What is a solar brokerage?
When you decided to install solar on your house, there are a lot of decisions you have to make, and a solar brokerage consultant helps you make the decision. They help you negotiate rates and get the best possible equipment and gear. The company you decide to have install solar on your property then pays the consulting brokerage. Most solar brokerage companies work with a handful of solar companies and bring them tons of business through their consulting services; which then gives access to exclusive pricing and options to choose from which these companies then turn and offer to their clients.
Kiara, thank you for being here today! Tell us a little bit about you and your background:
I have been in the renewable energy space for 6+ years and have had the honor to work with many well respected brands like NASA, Marriott, Hilton Hotels, General Motors, Starbucks and more. I started my own solar brokerage so that we could help property owners find the right solar company and solution for their property while fighting poverty through renewable energy.
What is a fun fact about you?
I lived in China and taught English to Kinder-gardeners. I spent a lot of time traveling through South East Asia and Mexico and have witness extreme poverty and am very passionate about making a difference in these countries.
Why do you think climate change and sustainability is such an important topic today?
It’s funny that we even have to ask this question. Protecting a planet our race (human race) needs to survive should never be a political debate. Some human activities that cause damage (either directly or indirectly) to the environment on a global scale include population growth, overconsumption, overexploitation, pollution, and deforestation, etc. What is even scarier is TX get’s a snow storm and the first thing people think is “how cool, snow in TX”, not “oh wow this is not a good sign. Ignorance is not bliss, it is killing the place we need to survive.
What do you envision your industry looking like 10 years from now?
I envision the solar industry and renewable energy industry being the new “norm”. We are already seeing Ford, GM and other car manufactures who once pride themselves on fuel switching to EV solutions. Property owners are taking advantage of the solar industry and powering their homes and businesses with clean renewable energy and I hope to see every home and building powered by renewable energy 10, 20+ years from now.
What can the average person do to make a difference?
Stop looking at renewable energy through a political lens. Protecting the place you need to survive should not be a political matter. In addition to that, make the switch to solar power and EV if you can!
Kiara, thank you for being here with us today and sharing your vision for the future of solar power.
We are excited to announce that Kiara will be a featured guest on an upcoming episode of The Green Podcast. Be sure to subscribe via Spotify or Apple podcasts to stay up to date with all of our podcast episodes.
