Arc News Headlines
Managing Director and Co-Founder Nicola Armacost on Microfinance
Link TV: Television Without Borders
Power off the grid: Solar panels empower the rural poor
Sep 25, '09 MediaGlobal
SELCO India Announces Social Growth Financing Investment
From The Good Energies Foundation, The Lemelson Foundation and E+Co
Jan 12, '09 Selco Press Release
The battle for the soul of microfinance
Dec 5, '08 Financial Times
Power to the people
October 27, 2008 Financial Times
Chris Neidl
Program Manager
Chris Neidl leads Arc's technical advisory work in supporting our partner organizations develop a range of financing mechanisms for pro-poor energy and water services. He provides our partners with introductions to reliable product companies and helps them to measure and evaluate the strength of their programs. He is also developing monitoring systems for sustainable water infrastructure.
Since 2003 Chris Neidl has worked in the renewable energy sector in a range of different capacities including educator, advocate, policy advisor and solar installer. His career began in Hopland, California as a junior solar technician at the Solar Living Institute, a sustainability learning center that founded the oldest clean energy retail and installation company in the United States. In 2005, Chris moved east to serve as the outreach coordinator for Solar One, a green energy, arts and education organization serving the five boroughs of New York City. In 2008, Chris became Solar One's first Director of Advocacy, and in this role organized city and statewide campaigns in support of pro-renewable energy policies. These efforts contributed to a number of key legislative victories that resulted in policies favorable to renewable energy investment. In recognition of his innovative approaches to engaging ordinary citizens in public policy initiatives, Chris was honored as one of GOOD Magazine's GOOD 100 "a collection of the most important, exciting and innovative people, ideas and projects making our world better."
Chris has acted as an adviser on solar energy-related policy matters for members of the U.S. House of Representatives, the New York State legislature, and the New York City Council, and has been instrumental in the formulation of a number of solar policies that have been implemented a municipal level, including New York City's Solar Empowerment Zone initiative. His writing has been featured in the journal Solar Today, and the popular online magazines Treehugger and Worldchanging. Chris has also been featured as a commentator on the Sundance Channel's Big Ideas for a Small Planet and The Lazy Environmentalist programs, as well as on CBC World News.
A native of Albany, New York, Chris earned an MA from New York University in Public Policy and Technology, and a BA in Urban Geography and Planning from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.