100% Pay Parity—a Bright Spot in the Solar Industry

I co-founded Sunrun twelve years ago with a simple mission: to create a planet run by the sun. Today, my company has become the leading national home solar, battery, and energy services provider. As a leader, we set an example in Diversity and Inclusion, especially to advance women into leadership and provide equal pay for equal work.

That’s why in 2018, Sunrun was the first solar company to achieve 100 percent pay parity. It was a key milestone, as I strongly believe that fair and equal pay is a fundamental right and integral to the Sunrun ethos.

It is critical for more businesses to step up and change the status quo. In the United States, one of the wealthiest and most advanced countries in the world, women are paid 80 cents on average on the dollar compared to men, and only 74 cents on the dollar in the solar industry. Taking real action to address the issue was necessary for our business.

On April 1, 2019, Sunrun took the California Equal Pay Pledge, developed as part of the partnership between the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls and the Office of California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom. By doing so, we aimed to influence all businesses across the state and beyond to join this movement.

Sunrun’s commitment ensures that not just women, but all employees are being compensated fairly within their organization, creating a more inclusive and equitable work environment for everyone. While obstacles remain on the road to creating an open, diverse, and fair solar industry, Sunrun has taken great strides in changing its workplace culture and providing equal opportunities for brilliant careers to all.

With women making up 50 percent of its senior management team and 38 percent of its board of directors, Sunrun is a model for other tech companies. Sunrun recently hired its first director of diversity & inclusion, George-Axelle Broussillon Matschinga. She is leveraging her years of experience and expertise in diversity management to develop a vision and strategies to advance the company’s progress, including focusing on hiring talent from underrepresented groups, such as women, people of color, and veterans.