# Christopher Kemper

> Christopher Kemper is the founder, chairman and CEO of Palmetto, a Charlotte-based clean-energy technology company that connects consumer products, financing, software and installation partners. After early work in United Nations climate policy and environmental markets, he founded Palmetto in 2010 and built it through the difficult economics of residential solar. His public work now extends to the UN Environment Programme, founder education through his Cleantech Startup Shortcuts newsletter, and Planet A, a climate-storytelling platform co-founded with screenwriter Court Crandall.

- **Role:** Chairman, Founder and CEO at Palmetto
- **Organizations:** Palmetto, UN Environment Programme, Planet A, The Christopher Kemper Foundation, Compagnie Financière Tradition, United Nations ESCAP
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** BA in Economics and History, Rhodes College, Master's in Environmental Planning and Policy, CEPT University, Business, economics and policy studies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- **Known for:** Founded and led Palmetto from 2010 into a technology-enabled residential clean-energy platform., Named among Goldman Sachs' 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs in 2021., Designated UNEP's first Advocate for Partnerships in 2023.

## Career timeline

- **2006-2008** — Worked in carbon finance and clean energy with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.
- **2008-2010** — Worked in clean energy and environmental markets at Compagnie Financière Tradition.
- **2010** — Founded Palmetto in London and became its chief executive.
- **2021** — Named one of Goldman Sachs' 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs at the Builders + Innovators Summit.
- **2023** — Palmetto raised a $150 million investment from TPG Rise Climate.
- **2023** — Designated the UN Environment Programme's first Advocate for Partnerships.
- **2023** — Palmetto announced Charlotte, North Carolina, as its new headquarters.
- **2025** — Palmetto announced more than $1.2 billion in capital supporting its LightReach residential energy plans for 2024 and 2025.
- **2025** — Launched the Cleantech Startup Shortcuts newsletter and co-founded the Planet A climate-storytelling platform.

## Achievements

- Founded and led Palmetto from 2010 into a technology-enabled residential clean-energy platform.
- Named among Goldman Sachs' 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs in 2021.
- Designated UNEP's first Advocate for Partnerships in 2023.
- Led Palmetto through a $150 million investment from TPG Rise Climate in 2023.
- Led Palmetto as it secured more than $1.2 billion for LightReach residential clean-energy plans announced in 2025.
- Co-founded Planet A and partnered with UNEP on the 2025 Young Champions of the Earth program.

## Latest updates

- **2026-07** — Palmetto released a national survey on household concern about summer energy bills.
- **2026-01** — Palmetto published its 2025 impact report, reporting that more than 500 installation partners used LightReach across 29 states in 2025.
- **2025-09** — Planet A and UNEP supported the relaunched Young Champions of the Earth program, pairing awards with mentorship and a pitch competition.
- **2025-05** — Kemper launched the Cleantech Startup Shortcuts newsletter, drawing on 15 years of founder notes.
- **2025-01** — Palmetto announced more than $1.2 billion in capital supporting LightReach residential clean-energy plans for 2024 and 2025.

## Links

- Website: https://plm.to
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cchristopherkemper
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheOfficialPlanetA

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/christopher-kemper
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-26