About this episode
The clean energy transition is creating one of the greatest economic opportunities of our time. But unlocking its full potential requires expanding access to the financial tools that make participation possible.In this powerful episode of Green Giants: Titans of Renewable Energy, Wes Ashworth sits down with Doug Coward, Founder and Director of National Expansion and Partnerships at the Solar and Energy Loan Fund, known as SELF. As one of the first nonprofit green banks and Community Development Financial Institutions in the United States, SELF is helping ensure that energy efficiency, resilience, and solar power are accessible to working families and underserved communities.Doug’s journey began in Florida public service, where he served 12 years as a county commissioner. A proposed coal plant in the Sunshine State became the catalyst for a bigger vision. Rather than waiting for top-down change, Doug focused on building a new financing model from the ground up.Today, nearly half of Americans who apply for loans are denied. That financing gap affects everything from hurricane recovery to home efficiency upgrades. SELF addresses this challenge with a different underwriting approach based on ability to pay, not credit scores.The impact is measurable and meaningful:$63 million deployed in clean energy and resilience loansNearly 4,500 homes retrofitted13,000+ people positively impacted70 percent of borrowers from low and moderate income householdsDefault rate under 2 percentDoug shares powerful stories of homeowners rebuilding after hurricanes, seniors accessing affordable roof repairs, and global crowdfunding efforts that mobilized support in hours rather than weeks.We also explore:How green banks function as implementation tools for local governmentsWhy financial inclusion is essential to scaling clean energy adoptionThe role of contractor vetting and consumer protection in building trustThe economic opportunity of domestic solar manufacturingSELF’s plug and play national expansion model now active in 17 statesThis conversation highlights how thoughtful financing structures can strengthen communities, create local jobs, reduce energy burdens, and build long-term resilience.If you care about practical climate solutions that work at the household level, this episode offers both inspiration and a proven model.Learn more about SELF Explore Kiva’s impact investing platformDoug Coward on LinkedInSubscribe to Green Giants for more conversations with the leaders building the renewable energy economy from the ground up.Wes Ashworth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/weslgs/
