Solunesco develops renewable energy projects, leveraging local knowledge and local boots on the ground. We work with a diverse group of stakeholders to:
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Create new revenue opportunities for rural landowners through sustainable, cost competitive energy generation
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Address community concerns and ensure responsible solar development
SolUnesco was founded in 2015 by Francis Hodsoll and Jon Hillis based on more than four decades of utility plant management, energy project development, construction experience, and corporate leadership. Prior to forming SolUnesco, they had already delivered over 1GW of power generation projects. They have also led solar policy and legislative efforts in the mid-Atlantic for the last five years.
SolUnesco develops clean energy projects utilizing our market and full value chain expertise, energy regulatory experience, project development skills and general management experience.
At SolUnesco, we conduct ourselves based on the following values:
Trust: Our business relies on our reputation, built on fairness and transparency.
Passion: We believe our projects contribute to a more sustainable future and are determined to achieve their success.
Creativity: Every project is unique and will require a different path to success.
Community: We are the guests of any community we build in. We respect local interests and character.
Expertise: We offer knowledge and experience in highly complex and heavily regulated markets
Sharing Our Success
When SolUnesco proposes a solar project in a new community, we try to find ways to embrace the community, including offering our assistance to local organizations. To accomplish this goal, we have formed the SolUnesco Charitable Giving Program, through which we give back to the communities in which we operate.
We seek opportunities to share our success in communities where we do business and with organizations一either local bodies or branches of larger organizations一that are servicing local constituents through their programs. We welcome partnerships with those organizations that demonstrate a philosophy that is consistent with SolUnesco’s core values of trust, passion, creativity, community, and expertise.
Read more about our charitable giving projects below.
Sustaining Communities
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Locust Grove Middle School in Locust Grove, VA: In support of Locust Grove Middle School’s STEM Camp, SolUnesco has offered a gift of a Solar4STEM 200 Solar Electric Energy Trainer kit, in addition to funding towards books related to sustainable energy, notebooks, and other materials.
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Seneca Ridge Middle School in Sterling, VA: SolUnesco partners with Seneca Ridge Middle School and other businesses and members of the Northern Virginia community. We give to Seneca Ridge not only with monetary donations, but also in a variety of ways, including donating time, equipment, specialized training, and service.
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South Central Red, White and Blue Music Festival in Chase City, VA
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Peanut Festival in Emporia, VA
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The Brink Ruritan Club in Emporia, VA
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Meals on Wheels in Charlotte County, VA
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Tin Cup Fund in Loudoun County, VA
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Christmas Parents in Charlotte County, VA
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Department of Social Services in Charlotte County, VA: SolUnesco contributed $5,000 to assist in the emergency response after one of the worst ice storms in recorded history.
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Dominion Golf Classic 2021 & 2022 in Loudoun County, VA
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Charlotte County Dixie Youth baseball team
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Charlotte County Dixie Darlings softball team
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Charlotte County Dixie Boys baseball team
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Provided grants under the Red Brick grant program: Town of Kenbridge and Lunenburg Lightning Youth Football League, Lunenburg County Youth Baseball League
Meet Our Team
Francis leads strategy, business development, policy, human resources and community engagement. He works with our team to gather and analyze market intelligence to navigate a highly competitive industry, applying his expertise in energy wholesale markets, policy, land use, strategy, finance, and performance management. Additionally, Francis focuses on staff development to continuously improve team skills and abilities.
Francis’ previous positions and memberships include: the MD-DC- VA Solar Energy Industry Association, Chair of the Energy Workgroup for Governor McAuliffe’s Climate Change and Resiliency Update Commission, Member of Governor McAuliffe’s Energy Committee, and Founder of the Virginia Advanced Energy Industries Association.
Francis holds an MBA from MIT’s Sloan School of Management and a BA in Economics from Colby College. He stays active in the community and his children’s activities by coaching youth football, basketball, and soccer, and serving as a school PTO member.
Nia ensures that our team and counterparties comply with the terms of our real estate agreements. She project manages the execution of new arrangements while tracking and monitoring existing contracts. She corresponds and coordinates with landowners and outside council. She also manages a database of real estate agreements and ensures the proper filing of all legal agreements and documentation.
Nia has experience in Property Law doing conveyancing and compliance related matters, as well as a Corporate Paralegal formulating and dissolving corporate entities. She holds a law degree from the University of East Anglia and a foundation degree in Law and Humanities.
A few of her favorite things are reading, travelling and spending time with friends and family.
Lea leads research and analysis in support of project development. She executes research assignments and reports, while maintaining data on county ordinances and solar project permit provisions. She is also point on marketing initiatives such as social media, campaigns, website maintenance, community meetings, and more. She holds a BS in Environmental Policy and Planning from Virginia Tech. In her free time, Lea enjoys yelling at the TV during football and basketball season to make sure the Hokies are winning.
Lauren represents and advances individual projects through various stages of development, including site acquisition, early stage engineering, local permitting, and environmental permitting. She performs critical policy, technology, and environmental research, and prepares and presents permit applications at hearings and meetings. Lauren joins us after having previously served as SolUnesco’s Southern Virginia local rep and as a US Navy Administrator. In her spare time, Lauren enjoys being a beach bum, painting, and going to local concerts.
Seth leads engagement with landowners during site procurement and manages relationships with government agencies, utilities, and vendors regarding permitting, interconnection, and site work. Prior to working in solar energy, Seth spent several years in the Canadian oil and gas industry. He holds an MS in Energy Policy and Climate Science from Johns Hopkins University and a BS in Geology from Western Washington University. In his free time, Seth enjoys struggling to keep his bonsai plants alive and (slowly) developing his ukulele skills.
Susan is the lead for all administrative duties at SolUnesco, and also provides executive support. Prior to starting at SolUnesco, she had successful careers in retail management, and C-suite level executive support. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, backpacking, cave exploring, and catering to every whim of her two cats, Maggie and Frank.