irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $3.33MWORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: IREC SUPPORTS THE GROWTH OF A HIGHLY-TRAINED & INCLUSIVE WORKFORCE TO ENABLE THE RAPID EXPANSION OF CLEAN ENERGY INDUSTRIES.
- #2 $2.92MLOCAL INITIATIVES: IREC HELPS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND ORGANIZATIONS BRING CLEAN ENERGY TO CONSTITUENTS BY PROVIDING TARGETED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ON DEPLOYMENT STRATEGIES INCLUDING SITING, PERMITTING, COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENTS, AND OTHER ISSUES.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Building a Technically Reliable Interconnection Evolution for Storage (BATRIES)
Addresses barriers to interconnecting standalone energy storage and solar-plus-storage projects to enable faster deployment on the distribution grid.
Freeing the Grid
Grades states on the quality of their interconnection and net metering policies to promote best practices and increase clean energy adoption.
Hosting Capacity Analysis (HCA)
Provides grid transparency tools to help utilities and regulators integrate distributed energy resources like solar and storage by identifying where the grid can host new connections without costly upgrades.
Interconnection Equity
Researches and advocates for equitable interconnection policies to ensure marginalized communities are not disproportionately burdened by outdated or unfair grid connection rules.
National Clean Energy Workforce Alliance
Convenes over 600 members to improve clean energy education, training, and job placement outcomes, supporting workforce development and inclusivity in the sector.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Energy Policy Advocacy & Research 3 activities
- Advocate for improved clean energy interconnection and regulatory policiesParticipates in state regulatory proceedings and leads initiatives like Freeing the Grid to promote strong interconnection rules and smart inverter standards. Model Interconnection Procedures have been adopted in nearly half of U.S. states, and advocacy supports equitable access and modernization of distributed energy resource policies.
- Conduct research on energy storage and distributed energy resource integrationLeads the multi-year BATRIES project funded by the Department of Energy to identify and solve interconnection challenges for standalone and solar-plus-storage systems. Publishes guidance for policymakers and develops solutions to streamline deployment of energy storage technologies.
- Evaluate and publish scorecards on shared renewables programsDevelops and publishes the National Shared Renewables Scorecard to assess state-level shared renewables programs against best practices, providing actionable insights for policymakers and regulators to improve program design and equity.
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Electric Grid Operations & Reliability 1 activity
- Develop and publish research on clean energy interconnection standards and grid modernizationProduces technical reports, decision tools, and evaluation frameworks to support regulatory adoption of updated interconnection standards such as IEEE 1547-2018, including the Decision Options Matrix, Adoption Tracker, and guidance on hosting capacity analyses and grid investments. Research informs utility planning and regulatory oversight across U.S. states and Canadian regional transmission organizations.
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Clean Energy Workforce Training 1 activity
- Lead capacity-building initiatives for clean energy workforce and code officialsTrains building safety and code officials, firefighters, and clean energy professionals; supports apprenticeship placement and job connections through platforms like Green Workforce Connect; and leads the National Clean Energy Workforce Alliance with over 600 members to improve training and job placement outcomes.
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Solar Energy Access in Underserved Communities 1 activity
- Provide technical assistance to local governments for clean energy deploymentDelivers no-cost technical support through programs like SolSmart and Charging Smart to help over 500 local governments streamline permitting, reduce barriers to solar and EV infrastructure, and achieve Energy Ready designations. Includes workforce development and resilience planning, particularly in Puerto Rico.
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Clean Transportation Adoption & Infrastructure 1 activity
- Support electric vehicle infrastructure deployment through research and technical assistanceConducts research on EV interconnection, planning, and equitable shared mobility programs; publishes guidance for local zoning and planning; and provides direct technical assistance through the Charging Smart program to accelerate EV charging infrastructure in communities.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$9.20M
Contributions & grants$6.29M68%
Program service revenue$2.89M31%
Investment income$29K0%
Other revenue$-13K
expenses
Total expenses$10.02M
Program expenses81%
Admin / overhead15%
Fundraising4%
Salaries & benefits$4.80M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$3.00M
Cash$1.72M
Investments$0
Liabilities$1.16M
Net assets$1.84M
Liquid reserves2.1 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +24.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 6
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LARRY SHERWOOD | PRESIDENT EM | 40 | $306K |
| SCOTT TOWNLEY | EMPLOYEE | 40 | $166K |
| LESLIE GRAHAM | EMPLOYEE | 40 | $160K |
| BRIAN LYDIC | EMPLOYEE | 40 | $159K |
| CYNTHIA FINLEY | EMPLOYEE | 40 | $158K |
| TOYAH CALLAHAN | EMPLOYEE | 40 | $157K |
board members · 10
- AMANDA HATHERLY — BOARD MEMBER
- ANNE HOSKINS — BOARD MEMBER
- BONNIE DATTA — BOARD MEMBER
- DAN REICHER — BOARD MEMBER
- DUB TAYLOR — BOARD MEMBER
- JOHN WILSON — BOARD MEMBER
- KATIE MCCORMACK — BOARD MEMBER
- LORRAINE AKIBA — BOARD MEMBER
- TOM STARRS — BOARD MEMBER
- TRENTON ALLEN — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 32
Who they work with
- Cadmus Group Partner — Co-authored the SolSmart issue brief "Solar + Storage, a Guide for Local Governments" with IREC.
- California Solar & Storage Association Partner — Collaborated on the Virtual Net Metering Market Development Project.
- Center for Sustainable Energy Partner — Partnered on the Virtual Net Metering Market Development Project and co-developed resources including the guide Expanding Solar Access: Pathways for Multifamily Housing.
- Charging Smart Partner — Launched the Charging Smart program to support rapid development of community EV charging infrastructure.
- Charging Smart Partner — Program supporting local governments in expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
- Clean Energy New Hampshire Partner — Collaborated with utilities, local industry, and IREC to develop consensus recommendations for improving New Hampshire’s interconnection rules.
- Department of Energy Funder — Funded IREC's 3-year BATRIES project to address energy storage interconnection challenges.
- Energy Policy Design Institute Partner — Provided support in developing consensus recommendations for modernizing New Hampshire’s interconnection procedures.
- GridLab Partner — Co-developed the GridMod Playbook to support regulatory evaluation of grid modernization efforts.
- GridWise® Architecture Council Partner — Co-founded the Customer Grid Edge Committee under the U.S. Department of Energy’s appointment to address smart grid and customer interface issues.
- IEEE Partner — Collaborates on the development and implementation of smart inverter standards, including IEEE 1547-2018 and IEEE 1547.1-2020.
- Massachusetts Clean Energy Center Funder — Supporter of IREC's training projects for code officials and firefighters.
- National Clean Energy Workforce Alliance Coalition — Led the 600+ member National Clean Energy Workforce Alliance to improve clean energy education, training, and job placement outcomes.
- National Institute of Standards and Technology Partner — Co-founded the Customer Grid Edge Committee to address smart grid and customer interface issues.
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory Partner — Co-authored the report "Data Validation for Hosting Capacity Analyses."
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory Partner — Partner on SolarAPP+, an automated permitting system for rooftop solar projects.
- RMI Partner — Co-published guidance document on planning and zoning for EV charger deployment.
- Sandia National Laboratories Partner — Co-authored the 2013 concept paper on Integrated Distribution Planning.
- SolSmart Partner — Administered the SolSmart program to provide free technical assistance and recognition to communities adopting solar best practices.
- SolSmart Partner — Collaborative program providing technical assistance to local governments to reduce solar energy adoption barriers.
- Solar Ready Vets Network Partner — Collaborates to connect U.S. military veterans with clean energy careers.
- Spark Northwest Partner — Co-developed the guide Access for All: Pathways to Expand Solar Options to Renters and Multifamily Households in the City of Seattle.
- Sustainable Energy Action Committee Partner — Collaborates on publishing guidance for planning and zoning related to EV charger deployment.
- U.S. Department of Commerce Government — Parent agency of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, a co-founder of the Customer Grid Edge Committee hosted by IREC.
- U.S. Department of Energy Funder — Supporter of IREC's training projects for code officials and firefighters.
- U.S. Department of Energy Government — Appoints the GridWise® Architecture Council, a co-founder of the Customer Grid Edge Committee hosted by IREC.
- U.S. Department of Energy Government — Funded the Virtual Net Metering Market Development Project through the SunShot Initiative.
- U.S. Department of Energy Government — Provides grant funding for IREC to lead the Sustainable Energy Action Committee (SEAC).
- U.S. Department of Energy Partner — Partners with IREC on technical assistance initiatives including the BATRIES project and SolSmart program.
- U.S. Department of Labor Government — Operated as a Department of Labor apprenticeship intermediary to place clean energy apprentices.
+ 2 more
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Consensus-Based Regulatory Engagement for Equitable Grid Integrationmethodology: consensus-based_regulatory_engagementBy engaging in state regulatory proceedings with a consensus-building approach, we produce more durable and equitable integration of distributed energy resources into the grid, because collaborative rulemaking reduces opposition, aligns stakeholder incentives, and embeds justice considerations early in policy design.
- Energy Justice-Integrated Grid Modernizationmethodology: energy-justice-integrationBy embedding energy justice principles into grid planning and interconnection policies, we produce a more equitable clean energy transition, because centering equity in hosting capacity analysis, community solar, and regulatory design ensures low-income and historically marginalized communities benefit from modernization.
- Integrated Clean Energy Acceleration Through Workforce and Local Supportmethodology: integrated_clean_energy_accelerationBy combining regulatory reform, workforce development, and local government technical assistance, we produce faster and more inclusive clean energy adoption, because systemic change requires aligned progress across policy, labor capacity, and on-the-ground implementation.
- Model Policy and Technical Standard Harmonizationmethodology: model_policy_developmentBy developing national model rules and harmonized technical standards—such as smart inverter functions and standardized permitting—we produce faster, safer, and more cost-effective clean energy deployment across jurisdictions, because uniformity reduces regulatory fragmentation, lowers compliance costs, and enables economies of scale.