News
December 21, 2022Member Spotlight: Nelnet Renewable Energy
Nelnet Renewable Energy (“NRE”), a division of Nelnet, Inc. (“Nelnet”), was founded in 2018 and built on the solid foundation of Nelnet’s commitment to serving our communities over the last 40 years. NRE launched its community solar management business in 2020.
Nelnet Renewable Energy provides New York communities with clean, affordable, renewable energy through local community solar farms. Community solar farms allow residential and commercial customers to subscribe to a portion of a solar farm that supplies clean, renewable energy to the utility company. The subscriber receives solar credits for the energy produced, and their subscription allows them to pay for these credits at a discount – reducing the subscriber’s overall energy costs. With over 6,000 subscribers in New York, Nelnet Renewable Energy’s community solar program is part of NYSERDA’s NY Sun Program and provides savings on monthly utility bills with no costs to enroll and without the costs, permitting, or maintenance of onsite/rooftop solar.
Nelnet Renewable Energy follows the same purpose that their parent company Nelnet follows: We Live to Serve Others.
Their core values are:
- Providing superior customer experiences
- Creating an awesome work environment
- Pursuing opportunities for diversification and growth
- Communicating openly and honestly
- Giving back to the communities in which they live and work
With over 40 years of experience and servicing 25M+ customers, Nelnet, Inc. is one of the nation’s largest student loan servicing companies – but they do far more than that. They are a technology company, idea incubator, start-up accelerator, and education expert. Nelnet Renewable Energy was born from this innovation mindset and expands their commitment to excellence in customer service to the renewable energy space.
The Chamber has been a fantastic way for Nelnet Renewable Energy to connect with other Chamber members to share with them what community solar is and how it can be an asset to their business. Through these introductions, networking events, and involvement in a Business Referral Group, Nelnet Renewable Energy has partnered with a large number of fellow Chamber members who are enjoying cost savings and supporting their sustainability goals through our community solar program.
Their favorite part about living/working in the Capital Region is the enthusiasm, interest, and positive feedback they’ve experienced, sharing the benefits of our community solar program with residents, businesses, nonprofits, municipalities, schools, etc. A highlight of our experience with the Capital Region is our partnership with Solarize Albany. In 2021, Nelnet Renewable Energy was selected to partner with Solarize Albany, a local nonprofit serving the communities of the Capital Region and promoting the benefits of renewable energy. Through this partnership, as well as NRE’s coordination with NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Communities (CEC) Program Coordinators, NRE has engaged with a significant number of municipalities to bring the benefits of community solar to their communities, with many earning CEC Program grant awards used to support their respective local campaigns and programs, including EV charging stations and LED lighting.
To share some of the positive feedback from their customers, ”Nelnet Renewable Energy’s customer service is outstanding, and its website is very informative and easy to navigate!”
