In 2016, Mississippi Entrepreneur Will Shirley made a significant move by purchasing Sundial Solar, a Jackson-based company dedicated to harnessing solar energy for a brighter future.

His journey began in technology and information management, working for the state government and later teaching computer programming. He also ran his own computer services business for a decade before managing cell tower projects for broadband with a New York-based company.

In 2009, Shirley found his calling in the solar industry. Initially serving as an operations manager at Sundial Solar, he navigated the tough landscape of public policy in Mississippi, which was not favorable to renewable energy at the time. Despite these challenges, he persisted and eventually acquired the company in 2016.

Sundial Solar’s mission revolves around its Solar-Based Economic Development (SBED) strategy, which aims to foster local economic growth through large-scale solar projects. This strategy supports municipal and county governments across Mississippi and the southeastern United States, making solar energy accessible to local leaders, businesses, and homeowners.

Before approaching Communities Unlimited (CU), Sundial Solar had been working intermittently on single-family solar panel installations. The company buys and installs solar panels and related equipment to provide single-family houses with renewable energy to offset their electricity bills.

However, they faced significant challenges, including a lack of organized financial records and unclear financial projections for federal programs like Solar for All. These programs offered opportunities for significant business expansion, but understanding how to benefit from them was complex.

Shirley and his Chief Financial Officer, Ray Williams, struggled with maintaining a set of books. The revenue streams and cost structure of both programs were not immediately clear, making it difficult to map out financial projections. To overcome these obstacles, Williams recommended that Sundial Solar work with the Entrepreneurship and Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Team at CU, familiar with the organization’s work from his time as a commercial lender at Hope Enterprise Corporation.

With the help of Area Director Marnell Love, Senior Management Consultant Rhett Douglas, and Management Consultant LaKetter Cannon, CU provided essential support in optimizing Sundial Solar’s business model and preparing for growth.

CU’s assistance covered various areas such as tax advice, bookkeeping setup, financial projections, and business plan creation. This support was crucial for navigating federal grant programs and preparing for future opportunities.

One of Sundial Solar’s key initiatives is the Solarize the Delta program, partially funded by the Solar for All program. This initiative helps low-income residents join the renewable energy economy. Sundial Solar organized community meetings and built coalitions, gaining support from local institutions like the Washington County Economic Development Board.

As Sundial Solar prepares for the future, their focus is on increasing workforce development and expanding into commercial and utility-scale projects. “We are getting ourselves ready for new contracts,” Shirley said. This includes hiring and training more staff to meet the growing demands of the solar industry.

“Will and Ray truly embody the entrepreneurial spirit,” Douglas said. “In a fast-paced, constantly changing industry, they’ve identified a niche and chased it with unblinking determination. What they envision as a success for their company will be a success for the state of Mississippi, and I’m thrilled to play a role in helping them better understand their upcoming revenue streams and focusing their efforts on nailing down the cash flow model that will pave the way for future growth.”

With the help of CU, Sundial Solar is well-equipped to harness the power of the sun, drive economic growth, and lead Mississippi toward a greener, more sustainable future.