Solutionists of the Week

Welcome to the newest edition of Planet Home’s ‘Solutionists of the Week’.

From established subject-matter experts to rising Solutionists, we want to share their successes and celebrate the achievements of those leading the charge in bringing net-positive solutions to the world. Here’s this week’s roundup of Solutionists making waves in their respective industries.

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) recently announced that it has hired solar veteran Erika Symmonds as Vice President of Equity and Workforce Development. In this role, Erika will design and oversee programs to ensure that the solar workforce is ready to meet the challenges of the Solar + Decade. SEIA has a goal for solar and storage to generate 30% of U.S. electricity by 2030 as part the Solar+ Decade. Symmonds will be deeply engaged in ensuring that solar opportunities are available to entrepreneurs, customers, investors, business entities and individuals in every community in America.

Macquarie’s Green Investment Group (GIG) recently broke news of their launch of Corio Generation, a new specialist offshore wind business. Corio is expected to start operations in April with a 15 GW project pipeline, establishing the company as one of the largest offshore wind developers in the world. According to Macquarie, the launch of the new business comes as demand for green electricity continues to rise, with total capacity of offshore wind farms expected to reach 228 GW in 2030. Cole said: “I am hugely excited by this unique opportunity to lead a business that combines some of the world’s best financial and industrial expertise.”

Tech giant Microsoft announced today the launch of a new sustainability industry team, to be led by newly hired Corporate Vice President of Sustainability Elisabeth Brinton. The new team aims to further Microsoft’s initiatives to help customers integrate sustainability in their businesses. In a post announcing the launch of the new team, Omar Abbosh, Corporate Vice President: Industry Solutions at Microsoft, said: “I’m delighted to share that we’re launching a Sustainability industry team to deepen our focus and capabilities in helping customers make sustainability an integral part of their core business models. Sustainability has largely been discussed in the realm of environmental value, and for good reason; we believe Sustainability is also simply good business.”