About Our Cooperative

Cleveland Solar Cooperative (CSC) helps groups of neighbors in Greater Cleveland come together to envision, organize, develop, and own sustainability projects like solar gardens. We are the first member-owned cooperative solar business in Ohio. 

We are committed to sustainability, equality, solidarity, anti-racism, and a Just Transition to a clean energy economy.

The co-op was formed in 2020 when the two groups of neighbors in along with Cleveland Owns, wanted to promote energy democracy through democratic ownership of solar infrastructure. Today, we have more than 70 members throughout Greater Cleveland. 

Our Board of Directors

Juanita has been actively involved with Ohio Climate Change for Justice for over three years. During this time, she has connected with like-minded individuals by joining the Ohio Climate and Energy Coalition (CCEC) and working with the Energy Foundation. This collaboration has provided her with valuable resources for solar panels and more.

 

Her commitment as an advocate for underserved communities, particularly in East Cleveland, Ohio, is stronger than ever. Juanita firmly believes in creating justice for all, regardless of zip code. This includes demanding clean energy solutions, promoting solar power to reduce utility bills, and generating clean energy jobs that can transform lives. Change is not just necessary; it is our obligation, and she is dedicated to making it happen.

 
  Tim Dewald is a media and communications industry veteran with nearly 20 years of experience in a variety of roles, from national cable television production, to media relations and strategic communications. That is until he stopped working full-time in 2021 to become a stay-at-home dad to two wonderful (and stress-inducing!) children. He also started a podcast about his pursuits co-hosted with a fellow full-time father called Better Off Dad.

A resident of Lakewood, he volunteers locally with LakewoodAlive and has chaired its marketing committee for the last 5 years. He is a past volunteer with the Neighborhood Leadership Institute’s True2U program, which provides mentoring to 8th graders in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. In 2024, he founded Friends of Merl Bunts Park, a volunteer-led, local park advocacy group.

Tim strongly believes in the mission of the Cleveland Solar Cooperative, that greater community control of our energy resources can drive meaningful change both environmentally and economically. He hopes to leverage his experiences in communication to assist the organization as a member of the board and raise the awareness and reach of the Cleveland Solar Cooperative.



 

Born and raised in Northeast Ohio, Teresa’s earliest memories are camping in the state’s forests and along Lake Erie. These experiences shaped her commitment to protecting the region’s natural resources and set her on a journey that brought her to work for energy democracy. 

 

Teresa’s interest in clean energy began in 2021, when she worked on a solar energy initiative that taught her the potential of renewable technology. Since then, she has sought ways to advance a renewable energy future that is both innovative and equitable. With Ohio emerging as a hub for energy-intensive industries like AI and data centers, she believes local leadership is essential to ensuring growth is powered responsibly and that it benefits all communities.

 

As a small business owner, Teresa partners with organizations to create training products that deliver measurable results. She also does advocacy work for the unique needs of small businesses at the state and national levels and strives to be a coalition-builder. She is an active member of the Plexus LGBT & Allied Chamber of Commerce and also the Stonewall Sports organization. 

 

In her work with CSC, Teresa wants to work to center communities, protect natural resources, and advance energy democracy—proving that stewardship, progress, and equity can thrive together.

 
Pastor Darnell D. Jennings I is the founder and Senior Pastor of Imparting Truth Ministries of Cleveland, Ohio. He’s a Licensed and ordained Elder of the Abrahamic Temple Diocese under the direction of his Pastor and covering Cannon Bishop Wayne Fitzpatrick in Elyria, Ohio. Pastor Jennings is the husband of Lady Andreya Jennings and the proud father of six (Uriah, Alexandria, Darnell II, Aliana, Ashton and Ammanuel). All of whom he is extremely proud and fond of.

Pastor Jennings was called at the tender age of 13 and preached his first message at the age of 14.   He has participated in many street meetings, evangelism services, and even traveled to many prisons and detention homes spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.

In August 2021, Pastor Jennings became the Senior Pastor of Lakeside Baptist Church in East Cleveland, Ohio. Under Pastor Jennings leadership several things have been established including an executive board, weekly discipleship class, relaunched ministers training, established a praise team and musicians, established social media presence (IG, FB, TikTok, and YouTube), and worked to enhance the look and experience of Lakeside Bible Church. Pastor Jennings has worked hard to deepen his church’s presence in the community of East Cleveland through annual events and bringing in partnerships with NOAH, East Cleveland Concerned Pastors, and the Stephanie Tubbs Jones center. Pastor Jennings greatest commitment is to preach the unadulterated Word of God and become everything God has created him to be.



 
Jonathan Welle is Lead Organizer of Cleveland Owns, a nonprofit that incubates cooperative businesses based on the belief that we'll only have an equitable city when we have an equitable distribution of ownership. Jonathan first saw the power of collective economic self-determination when he worked with a group of women starting a cheese co-op during his time as a Peace Corps volunteer in a rural village in the Dominican Republic. He believes democratic, cooperative ownership of clean energy assets is an essential part of a just transition in Cleveland and beyond. Jonathan lives with his partner in Ohio City, where he is a member of the Cleveland Catholic Worker.