Seven Leading State Clean Energy Programs Win National Award from CESA
The Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA), a national nonprofit coalition of public agencies working together to advance clean energy, is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 State Leadership in Clean Energy Awards. Since 2009, the biennial Leadership Awards have recognized outstanding state programs and projects that have accelerated the adoption of clean energy technologies. The seven winners were chosen by an independent panel of distinguished judges and were evaluated based on leadership, innovation, cost-effectiveness, and replicability.
"States continue to innovate and are driving considerable clean energy progress,” said CESA Executive Director Warren Leon. “CESA's State Leadership in Clean Energy Awards bring attention to creative and successful state clean energy programs, so that other states may learn from them."
This year’s awards were presented in July 2026 to the following agencies:
California Energy Commission (CEC) for the Demand Side Grid Support (DSGS) Program. This virtual power plant (VPP) program offers performance-based compensation to electric customers who provide load reduction and backup generation to support the state’s electric grid during times of high energy demand, reducing the risk of blackouts and lowering energy bills for ratepayers statewide. DSGS participation grew over 7X since its launch in 2023 and is considered by industry to be the largest VPP program in the world with over 124,000 enrolled customers across California, including strong participation in low- and moderate-income communities. According to the judges: "VPP programs are important to the future of the electricity system. California's DSGS program is ambitious and successful, balancing grid reliability and affordability."
Connecticut Green Bank for the Solar Marketplace Assistance Program Plus(Solar MAP+). This development and financing program provides end-to-end solar and energy storage project support for municipalities, K–12 schools, state agencies, and affordable multifamily housing, with a focus on removing barriers for underserved market segments. Solar MAP+ has completed 69 projects, installing 56.3 MW of capacity and generating over $150 million in clean energy investment. According to the judges: “Solar MAP+ is innovating the role of the green bank from just a lender to lender and developer. The program is highly replicable, cost-effective, and successful in its implementation.”
Illinois Power Agency (IPA) for its Solar Consumer Protection Initiatives. Two complementary programs protect IPA solar program customers: the Solar Restitution Program (SRP) compensates customers who have experienced economic harm from solar vendors in the program, and the Escrow Process is designed to prevent financial harm before it occurs. As of July 2026, the SRP has paid customers $472,864 in restitution, and the Escrow Process has facilitated over $2.2 million in pass-through payments to customers. According to the judges: “Strong consumer protections are essential to ongoing public support for solar. The IPA’s Consumer Protection Initiatives creatively and successfully address specific consumer issues.”
Illinois Power Agency (IPA) for the Illinois Shines Mentorship Program. The program's goal is to bring new and underrepresented businesses into Illinois Shines, the state administered solar incentive program. Participants learn about Illinois Shines program requirements and application procedures, coupled with the guidance, industry knowledge, and connections needed to succeed long-term in the clean energy sector. This program has led to the development of 180 solar projects across the state. According to the judges: "The Illinois Shines Mentorship Program is so replicable, so low-cost, and so high impact. Every state should be doing this."
Massachusetts Clean Energy Center for the Equity Workforce Training Program. This program was designed to make the clean energy workforce more inclusive while responding to the growing demand for skilled workers. Through planning grants, technical assistance, and investments in curriculum, staffing, and equipment, MassCEC helps organizations modernize or launch employer-aligned training programs. Training is provided at little to no cost to participants, and childcare, transportation, and language services are provided. The training programs have an impressive 87% participant completion rate and 74% job placement rate. With the Massachusetts clean energy workforce more than doubling since 2010 and demand for talent continuing to rise, this program is essential to building a diverse, skilled workforce. According to the judges: “This well-designed program has had an impressive impact across Massachusetts.”
Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) for the Massachusetts Grid Modernization Advisory Council (GMAC). This interdisciplinary stakeholder working group is charged with reviewing and providing recommendations on the state’s investor-owned electric distribution companies’ plans to modernize and invest in the electric grid to support the clean energy transition. Members represent low-and moderate-income residential consumers, environmental justice communities, clean energy industry, academia, environmentalists, and municipal interests. Without the GMAC process, utility investment plans would continue to occur largely behind “closed door” regulatory processes that are difficult for many stakeholders to understand. According to the judges: “Massachusetts has developed a low-cost and highly replicable model for advancing equity, community engagement, and transparency in grid modernization efforts.”
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) for its Clean Heat for All (CH4A): Room Heat Pump Program. This market transformation initiative spurred the development of new, efficient, easy-to-use room heat pump products and distributed them first to residents in public housing. Plug-and-play equipment eliminates the need for expensive and disruptive electrical upgrades, and the focus on public housing ensures that the cost savings and other benefits of clean energy technology reach low- to moderate-income residents. According to the judges: “CH4A is an inspiring and impactful success story. This program’s approach should be applied across the board to other technologies.”
The five judges who donated their time to assess the programs nominated by state agencies across the country were: Blair Beasley of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation; Olivia Nedd of Vote Solar; Mike O’Boyle of Energy Innovation; Autumn Proudlove of the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center; and Tom Stanton, a retiree of the National Regulatory Research Institute. The judges’ participation in no way implies their respective organizations’ endorsements of these programs.
For more information about the award-winning programs, judges’ bios, and to see photos of the award winners, visit: www.cesa.org/projects/state-leadership-in-clean-energy/2026-awards.
Clean Energy States Alliance | www.cesa.org