Solar For everyone

Our Story

WeSolar was founded on Juneteenth in 2020 by Kristal Hansley. Since her childhood growing up in Brooklyn, New York, Kristal has been passionate about serving the community and standing up for the rights of others. In addition to serving as Program Manager for the Senate Democratic Diversity Initiative, she was Majority Leader Reid’s liaison then continued her work empowering constituents with legislative support in the office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes-Norton. During this time, the State of Maryland and others passed laws designed to increase the use of solar power while deregulating the market to give consumers more choices to meet their energy needs. Seeing solar’s role in reducing the cost of electricity for households, Kristal decided to get involved in the new but quickly growing business of sourcing energy from community solar providers as an alternative to the big utilities. Mentored by the leadership of Neighborhood Sun and with the support of solar energy providers, WeSolar was born!

WeSolar Mission

WeSolar’s mission is to bring under-resourced communities affordable access to local community solar and to assist commercial properties with energy efficiency. WeSolar launched in Baltimore and will expand to other cities in the future. Through WeSolar, electricity consumers can purchase shared solar from a local project without having to install any equipment in their homes. In turn, residents save hundreds on their electricity bills. In Maryland, lawmakers passed legislation that states 50 percent of its electricity must come from renewable energy sources by 2030. The CEO, Kristal Hansley, and her team are disrupters who advocate that communities of color and low-income communities be included in this shift and have a healthy environment in the future.

Founder + CEO

Kristal Hansley is the Founder & CEO of WeSolar, Inc and is the nation’s first Black Woman CEO in the community solar industry. Under her leadership, WeSolar is growing quickly, providing consumers across Maryland access to affordable solar energy, regardless of the home type, and helping hard-working families reduce monthly expenses.

Kristal Hansley, an entrepreneur, and advocate for the use of solar power to help hard-working families reduce monthly expenses. Kristal is a Brooklyn native with a Bachelor of Art in Political Science and Sociology from Howard University. She first made her mark in the political field when she was honored as the 2010 Howard University Legislative Fellow, which led to her tenure in the U.S. Senate on the staff of Majority Leader Harry Reid.In addition to serving as Program Manager for the Senate Democratic Diversity Initiative, she was Majority Leader Reid’s liaison to local, state, and federal officials, and national organizations. Later, Kristal continued her work empowering constituents with legislative support favorable to average citizens by overseeing Community Affairs policy in the office of Congresswoman Elanor Norton.

Terrence Samuel is the Illinois Director for WeSolar, as well as an environmental advocate. A 2010 graduate with honors from Wright College with a degree in sustainability science for sites and structures through the Building Energy Technologies Program. Terrence also holds a postgraduate certificate in Public Interest Design from Archeworks, for the design and development of field-based research that engages collaborative connections within the community. A STEM/ Athena- Solar channel partner, providing best-in-class software, sales, and service in the Solar + Storage marketplace, design, development & deployment of solar solutions and systems.

Mr. Samuel is also a graduate of the Chicago Conservation Corps (C3), training in Land, Air, Water, and community organizing sustainability service projects, where he developed a natural green cleaning solution. A LEED green associate in core concepts and strategies, LEED for homes rating system with a NEEC certified building operator certificate as well as a graduate from the Housing Development Training Institute-community development & empowerment series through the Chicago Rehab Network. Terrence recently completed a service year with Greencorps-Terrafirma, specializing in ecological restoration, green infrastructure, conservation, consulting and construction. An entrepreneur at heart, Terrence looks to grow his commitment to combat climate change through Community Solar and leave a lasting impact for future generations.

Terrence Samuel

Illinois Director

Jenille Scott

Born and raised in Jamaica, Jenille Scott (she/her) is passionate about climate justice policy
and uplifting the voices of the communities that are most affected by the climate crisis. She
believes in the power of community and emphasizing the need for a more inclusive movement
that truly reflects the global impact of climate change on Black and Brown communities.

Prior to beginning her work with WeSolar Inc, Jenille worked as the New York Field Organizer
with Our Climate where she actively supported young leaders in advocating for science-based
climate policies in New York state while maintaining relationships with key state partners. She
developed and led various youth leadership trainings, lobby trainings and collaborated with
coalition members to organize art in activism events to encourage community member
involvement to advocate for key climate legislation. While pursuing her master’s degree, Jenille
interned with Audubon Vermont as their policy intern where she focused on tracking proposed
climate bills during the 2020 legislative session and drafted outreach materials and summarized
key points for Audubon’s membership. She also served as a Research and Writing Associate
with Earth Law Center helping to advance their rights of nature initiatives and doing outreach to
various small island nation groups.

Jenille currently supports WeSolar on a part time basis as the Director of Operations and also
serves as the Climate Justice Popular Education Manager for The Chisholm Legacy Project.
Jenille holds a M.A. with distinction in Environmental Law and Policy from Vermont Law School
and graduated magna cum laude from Bryn Mawr College with a B.A. in Biology with a minor in
Political Science. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, trying new foods, traveling, and
spending time with friends and family.