Above: Locations of all clean energy developments from project offerings funded through Climatize (as of Sept. 2025)
In my previous article in the August 2025 issue of GreenMoney, I shared how Climatize was inspired by the 2019 global climate strikes in Barcelona, when we realized that cardboard signs were a woefully insufficient tool to achieve our collective goals. That moment sparked a bigger idea: what if climate action could be scaled by giving people direct access to invest in the energy transition? That’s how Climatize became a U.S. investment platform focused on renewable energy project offerings.
As of September 2025, more than $10 million has been invested through Climatize, helping to fund 22 renewable energy projects across the country. Our community now includes over 2,400 members. To date, more than $2.4 million has already been returned to investors between principal and interest.
This time, I’m going deeper into what investing in renewable energy projects looks like on the ground. In this issue, you’ll find more stories from the field, a map of every project funded so far, and a closer look at how everyday people are stepping into the energy transition, one project at a time. We’ve seen what’s possible when projects get the support they need.
POWERED with Debra Lockard on Her Family-Run Farm Going Solar
Why focus on community-scale clean energy?
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, in 2023, more than 94% of new generators waiting to come online are zero-carbon, mostly wind, solar, and battery storage¹. But while the pipeline is full, the funding isn’t evenly distributed; most capital still flows toward large, utility-scale projects or gets bundled into ESG-labeled stock market funds².
If you’re wondering what sets them apart, here’s the gist: ESG investing means putting money into companies based on how they score in the three areas of the acronym: Environmental (cutting emissions and reducing waste), Social (treating people fairly), and Governance (paying fairly and avoiding corruption). In other words, you’re investing in how those companies operate. However, that leaves a gap between investing and knowing the final outcome created by your investment, and that’s where Climatize takes a different approach.
Our investment platform offers direct investments in vetted renewable energy projects, such as solar arrays, batteries, or EV chargers. Each offering is up to $5 million and is made possible because of the SEC’s Regulation Crowdfunding, a legal framework that unlocks new opportunities for investors who don’t meet the income or net worth requirements to be considered an accredited investor. You can choose specific offerings that resonate with you and see where your money goes: down to the projects and their potential impact. We are discussing investing, and as with any investment, there is risk, including the risk of losing your initial investment.
From the Bay Area to Rhode Island: the (current) climatize project map
Since 2023, investors on Climatize have helped fund 22 renewable energy projects across 12 states. Each pin on the map (at the top of the page) represents more than just a clean energy development; it marks every single project that became a success story of community-powered climate action. Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.
Tennessee leads the way with five funded projects, followed by New Jersey and California, with three each. Georgia, Massachusetts, and North Carolina have two projects apiece, while Illinois, Colorado, Rhode Island, New York, South Carolina, and Florida each host one.
The mix includes solar installations on farms to battery storage for auto shops, from energy efficiency upgrades at low-income households in underserved communities to EV chargers at community markets.
POWERED, behind the solar panel installations
Behind every project funded, there’s a community that shows why these developments matter.
Back in May, Climatize’s Co-Founder and COO, Alba Forns, and I hit the road to visit a few of the projects funded through our investing platform. The goal was simple: document what climate action looks like when it works and share the success stories of community-powered climate action.
We’ve now released three of those interviews. Two are from Tennessee, and one is from Georgia.
Joshua, an Army veteran and owner of Liberty Hill Farms, installed solar to lower his bills and gain energy independence. He inspired other farmers to explore how solar can work for them too. Not far away, Debra from Lockard’s Produce did the same, keeping her family-run farm resilient through seasonal changes and rising energy costs.
Down in Georgia, Jesse from MB Reps Auto Sales installed a solar and battery system that turned his shop into a lifeline. When Hurricane Helene knocked out power for 7 days, his system kept medicine and food cold, not just for his business, but for the neighborhood.
While each person’s experience can vary, these stories show that clean energy isn’t just about its technology; it’s about the many benefits that can come from it. By sharing proof of what clean energy delivers, we can help reshape the narrative of the energy transition. We hope that sparks others to take action too.
Click to Watch a series of interviews with owners of funded projects that successfully raised funding through the investment platform. The testimonials are from actual Climatize clients who were not compensated for sharing their experience. Individual experiences may vary.
Why does this momentum matter?
As seen recently, the clock’s ticking. Climate change won’t wait. With extreme weather on the rise³, energy costs climbing⁴, and entire regions still underserved by traditional financing⁵, our mission is to continue providing a platform for energy developers to amplify their activity and its impact.
At Climatize, you’re not just funding solar panels. Together, we’re building a financial bridge between people who care and projects that need support. Every renewable energy project reduces demand on fossil fuels, cuts emissions, and helps modernize the grid⁶. Every action adds up; that’s why clean energy hit record highs in 2025 in the U.S.⁷
Nowadays, anyone can invest directly in vetted U.S. renewable energy projects through Climatize. Every offering is analyzed by our team to evaluate its potential to deliver meaningful climate impact. However, as explained before, results aren’t guaranteed.
As a regulated investment platform, we’re committed to your safety as an investor, following strict transparency and security standards to protect your financial information.
Friendly reminder that we created a free guide that breaks down what impact investing means, how Climatize works, and what to expect. You can download it from the specific landing page we created for GreenMoney readers. We welcome anyone to become a member of our community and follow along in the energy transition.
Article by Will Wiseman, CEO & Co-Founder of Climatize. Will has over a decade of experience in renewable energy, particularly solar, having operated in every role, including finance, engineering, project management, and construction, where he personally built 15 solar farms. He holds a Double MSc in Renewable Energy Engineering from KTH, the Royal Institute of Technology.
After joining the 2019 Global Climate Strikes, Will quickly learned that while many people view climate change as an urgent problem, they often feel powerless to make a difference. From this observation he founded Climatize which makes it incredibly simple to invest in renewable energy projects across the US with as little as $10 while earning up to 10% in annual interest. As the CEO of Climatize, Will has built a community of over 2,300 investors who have invested over $9,400,000 in 19 solar, battery storage and energy efficiency projects in 9 states.
In 2024 Climatize won the Keeling Curve Prize in the Finance category, in 2023 Will was selected among the Forbes 30 Under 30 honorees in the Social Impact category and in 2022 he was selected among the Young Global Changers by the World Policy Forum. His work at Climatize has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas list.
His goal is to fund $1 billion per year of renewable energy projects within 5 years. Together with the team at Climatize, he’s building the financial network for climate action that will enable anyone to invest in any renewable energy project from anywhere in the world.
