Leading Through Energy Affordability: Rewriting the Rules of Lending (S5:E9)

When you design a financial system around people instead of profit, it works. That's not a theory. For Duanne Andrade, CEO of the Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF), it's 13 years of receipts: $60 million deployed, less than 2% default rate, and 70% of borrowers are low-to-moderate income families that traditional lenders turned away.As part of our LeadingThrough Energy Affordability series, in this episode Duanne breaks down what a credible response to energy affordability actually looks like when capital flows to the people who need it most — not just the ones who look best on paper. From a widowed woman in 120-degree heat to a veteran single mom with a caving roof, SELF's model meets families where they are.HighlightsWhy credit scores are the wrong metric — and what SELF uses instead to assess ability to repayThe "four-lane highway" lending model from — from conventional borrowers to zero-credit Kiva crowdfundingHow SELF manages the entire project — vetting contractors, checking for price gouging, and releasing payment only after homeowner approvalWhy geography and local policy shape what affordability solutions can actually work — and why standardization has limitsThe white-label "plug and play" platform for green banks and CDFIsWhat energy affordability could look like in 10 years — and the role AI plays in making this mainstreamAbout our guest, Duanne Andrade: Duane is the CEO of Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF): http://www.solarenergyloanfund.org/. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duanneandrade/About our host, Carolyn Parrs: Carolyn is a Strategic Communications Leader and the CEO of Mind Over Markets. mindovermarkets.com; LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolynparrs/Just Power Podcast is about the human side of the clean energy transition. The podcast focuses on grid modernization, energy affordability, and community engagement — featuring leaders from utilities, policy, technology, and frontline communities navigating the real-world impacts of energy infrastructure change.🔔 Never Miss an Episode of This Series! Subscribe Now.YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheJustPowerPodcast?sub_confirmation=1💖 Spread the LoveLike, comment, and share this episode with a friend, policymaker, or energy provider who needs to hear this.YouTubeFacebookInstagramNew Mexico State University MicrolearningMind Over MarketsLinkedIn