Ray of light: Cherry Street Energy and Synovus partner on environmental sustainability
Cherry Street Energy harnesses the power of sunshine as an energy provider, shaping how people think about renewable energy. And their partnership with Synovus symbolizes more than the bank’s financial investment in 2024 to help the company expand its services – it represents mutual purpose, motivated by innovation and a shared commitment to sustainability.
“Cherry Street is the largest renewable energy provider in Georgia, and we sell electricity from solar panels to businesses, manufacturers, municipalities and institutions, such as schools and nonprofits across the southeast,” Cherry Street CEO Michael Chanin explains. The company installs, owns and maintains solar power infrastructure for their customers, offering an alternative to traditional power sources that come with savings, too.
“At Synovus, we understand the importance of being more environmentally responsible and using sustainable practices,” Chris Schoonover, executive director, corporate real estate, says. “Although the bank offers specialized banking solutions for the renewable energy sector, we also saw the opportunity to engage Cherry Street’s services to enhance our operational efficiency.” Solar panels help power one of the bank’s data centers in Columbus, Georgia.
"Cherry Street and Synovus are responsible stewards of the environment. Together, we’re lighting the way to a brighter, more sustainable future, helping communities flourish through renewable energy.”
-Michael Chanin, founder of Cherry Street Energy
With Cherry Street’s growth since its founding in 2015 came the opportunity to create jobs and develop a skilled workforce. The company created Shine On, a program to train and educate a new generation of energy practitioners in the communities they serve.
Nicole Lee, founder of Savannah, Georgia-based Be Smart Home Solutions, is a Shine On partner. “Michael has a vision for the environment and community,” she says. “He brings smaller community businesses on board and trains residents so they can get great paying jobs. Cherry Street invests in the community by giving people work.” To date, the Shine On program has supported more than 200 careers in the renewable energy sector.
"Cherry Street and Synovus are responsible stewards of the environment," Chanin emphasizes. “Together, we’re lighting the way to a brighter, more sustainable future, helping communities flourish through renewable energy.”
Read more about how Synovus is enabling people to reach their full potential.