Climatize, a climate finance platform dedicated to democratizing renewable energy investments, has launched Powered by Climatize — an interview series that spotlights farmers, small business owners, and community members whose clean energy projects have been funded through the platform. The first episode features Joshua Dowdy, owner of Liberty Hill Farms and an Iraq veteran farming in Tennessee, who now powers his entire operation with solar and battery storage. The conversation reveals the real impact of clean energy in rural America, where access to affordable and reliable power is often limited.

Joshua Dowdy brings a unique perspective to the conversation, combining his experience as a farmer and energy consultant. At Liberty Hill Farms, he knows the struggles of rising energy costs and frequent outages that affect rural America. For Dowdy and many others, solar energy is not just an environmental choice—it is a practical necessity.

By building local relationships and understanding community needs, Dowdy helps make solar energy accessible and trusted in places often overlooked by the clean energy boom.

Along with financial support from Climatize, the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, plays a vital role in making renewable energy more accessible to farmers and rural small businesses. REAP provides grants and loan guarantees that help offset the upfront costs of installing solar panels, wind turbines, and other clean energy technologies.

However, due to policy changes, many grants have been frozen. Dowdy says his operation is proof that clean energy in rural America works.

Climatize plays a critical role in financing projects like Dowdy’s by opening climate investment to everyday people. Their platform connects individual investors directly to real-world renewable energy projects, creating a powerful link between capital and community impact.

The July 2025 data from Climatize shows strong growth and success:

Monthly revenue hit $25,299, with an annualized revenue of $326,871.
Investors contributed $414,083 in July, bringing total investments to nearly $9.8 million—a 4.4% increase month-over-month.
The platform serves over 2,375 investors, with an average account size of $43,814 and an average check size of $1,616.
July saw a record 267 total investments, a 50.3% jump from the previous month.
The company’s Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) stands at $2,409.
Climatize surpassed its project funding goal by launching $978,075 worth of projects, including fast-funded portfolios like the Illinois Community Solar Portfolio.

Notable projects funded through Climatize include the Ovanova solar installation powering Smith’s Supermarket, the West Sacramento EV Hub by Mynt Systems, and community solar initiatives supporting low-income households and local organizations.

Dowdy’s solar project illustrates a win-win for everyone involved: the system is performing well, the developer Ovanova created local jobs, and investors received full repayment just six months after funding. This holistic success reflects Climatize’s mission to deliver not only environmental benefits but also economic returns and community empowerment.

The episode concludes on a hopeful note, emphasizing that rural America can be a leader in the clean energy transition. With dedicated local advocates like Joshua Dowdy and innovative financing platforms like Climatize, renewable energy is becoming more inclusive and impactful—transforming communities one solar panel at a time.

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