Meet Alan Sherman: MassIPL's Newest Board Member

Bringing solar expertise and a congregation's-eye view to the work of climate justice

We are thrilled to welcome Alan Sherman to the MassIPL board (which we call our Executive Committee). Alan comes to us as a solar advisor and clean energy marketing executive whose faith-and-climate journey started close to home, in the halls and on the rooftop of his own congregation.

In 2019, Alan co-chaired the Solar Energy Committee at Temple Emunah in Lexington, where a small group of volunteers turned a vision for solar energy into a 336-kW solar canopy that produces 162% of the congregation's energy needs, with the excess sold to low-income families in the Boston area at a discount. He holds an MBA from Dartmouth's Tuck School and a bachelor's from the University of Rochester, and he now helps congregations across the Commonwealth bring clean energy to their houses of worship.

Getting to know Alan

To help our community get to know Alan a little better, we asked him a few questions about his path into this work, what drives him, and what he hopes to help MassIPL accomplish in the year ahead. Here is what he shared, in his own words. *Alan's responses are in italics.

Why did you want to join MassIPL?

I first became active in the intersection of faith and climate in 2019, when I co-chaired the Solar Energy Committee at my synagogue, Temple Emunah in Lexington. A small group of us came together and worked to bring a vision for solar energy at the synagogue to life. As part of our research, we consulted with the team at MassIPL, and they shared very helpful information and connected us with other solar experts who also helped us move the project forward.

It wasn't easy, but this initiative led us to build a 336-kW solar canopy installation, producing 162% of the congregation's energy needs, with the excess sold to low-income families in the Boston area at a discount. Five years later, I connected with Michael Reed, MassIPL's Executive Director, and after some interesting discussions, I knew I wanted to get involved.

What are you most passionate about when it comes to helping congregations?

After helping complete the solar project at my own synagogue, I came to realize that congregations have the power to do great things. A small group of committed volunteers, equipped with the necessary information and connected with the right resources, often can accomplish a lot when they really want to.

I want to help congregations reduce their carbon footprint, make positive changes, and do their part to improve the world, even when it seems like there are high barriers. As MassIPL says, there are more than three thousand houses of worship in Massachusetts, gathering hundreds of thousands of people every week. That's an incredible resource with the potential to have a huge positive impact on the climate crisis. Let's go!

What is one unusual thing about yourself that most people don't know?

I grew up on Long Island, New York, but I have lived in New England for so long that I consider it home. And yes, I am a proud Red Sox fan!

What first drew you to solar and clean energy work?

I first became involved in clean energy work in 2015, when I was asked to join the Town of Lexington Energy Conservation Committee. In that role, I helped advise Lexington officials on ways to enhance energy conservation throughout the town's physical plant.

After four years on the Committee and understanding just how important this work was for Lexington, I realized there was much more that we needed to do in the Commonwealth, the country, and the world, so I began to explore how I could help, which led me to co-chair Temple Emunah's solar project.

What are you hoping to help MassIPL accomplish in the year ahead?

I admire how MassIPL is available to houses of worship as a trusted resource, and I am excited about continuing to contribute my knowledge of solar to them, and help in whatever ways I can. I've also got a lot to learn, and I am fortunate to be working with a knowledgeable and committed group of experts, learning from some of the best in the business.

Thank you, Alan!

Thank you, Alan, for sharing your time and your story with us. Your belief that a small group of committed people can accomplish great things is exactly the spirit that moves this work forward, and we are grateful to have you on the board. Welcome aboard.

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Check out Alan's recent blog on "6 Common Reasons Organizations Delay Going Solar (and How to Overcome Them)" here!