
Ep 72: How to ACTUALLY See How Much You Could Save With Community Solar
SUMMARY: Dakota introduces a free calculator tool that helps large energy users estimate their potential savings through community solar based on their annual energy spend. The calculator uses delivery, supply, and tax costs to determine a subscription size—typically...

Ep 71: Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill & Community Solar Impacts
SUMMARY: Dakota explains the urgent impact of potential legislative changes—dubbed the "one big, beautiful bill"—on the future of community solar, particularly the abrupt termination of renewable energy tax credits. He details how developers are racing to "safe...

Ep 70: NY Community Solar is Changing | $175k in Savings for Our Latest Client & Changes to the Podcast
SUMMARY: Dakota shares updates on the evolving community solar landscape, including a recent $175,000 annual savings deal secured for a manufacturer in upstate New York. He warns that proposed legislation in New York may restrict future capacity for large anchor...

Ep 69: How IL Schools Are Saving ~$40k/yr in 2025
SUMMARY: Dakota explains how the organization helps Illinois public schools save an average of $40,000 annually through community solar programs—at no cost and without installing solar panels. He highlights Illinois' rapid growth in community solar capacity and...

Ep 68: How Energy Independence Supports Our Economy, Your Organization, & National Security Interests
SUMMARY: This episode of Sustainability Strategies by Dakota Malone explores the economic and strategic case for energy independence at both the corporate and national levels. Malone emphasizes that energy independence is a key risk mitigation tool for large energy...

Ep 67: Enterprise Sustainability: Moving Beyond Metrics in 2025
SUMMARY: Dakota discusses how corporations can move beyond superficial ESG reporting to implement real energy transformation and long-term sustainability through actionable steps like community solar participation. He highlights that while many organizations collect...

Ep 66: The Community Solar Advantage for Anchor Tenants
SUMMARY: Dakota explains how large energy users can benefit from community solar by becoming anchor tenants—subscribing to a significant share of solar farm capacity to secure long-term energy savings without upfront investment or onsite installation. He details how...

Ep 65: Sustainability Entrepreneur Gives No-BS Advice to Reach Energy Independence
SUMMARY: Dakota outlines eight critical steps for large energy users to achieve energy independence and long-term resilience. He emphasizes starting with a clear understanding of one’s energy profile, leveraging smart systems, strategic financing, and distributed...

Ep 64: The Importance of Creditworthiness with Anchor Tenants in Community Solar
SUMMARY: Dakota explains the critical role of anchor tenant creditworthiness in the success of community solar projects. He outlines how financially stable anchor tenants—typically large corporations, institutions, or municipalities—subscribe to 40–50% of a solar...