Serving one of their own

Navy Radioman Bowman Rivers spent four years serving his country aboard the USS Arnold J Isbell, patrolling the waters of the Western Pacific from 1959-1963. Now retired and struggling with a medical condition, the elderly Mr. Rivers is seeing his commitment to service rewarded in kind. In June, a group of 10 U.S. military veterans came to Mr. Rivers’ home in Gardena, California with GRID Alternatives to install a solar electric system on his Habitat for Humanity home as part of our Troops to Solar program.

"After serving our country in many different capacities, these veterans are back in their respective communities still serving in a different way,” said Nick Boatang, veteran liaison and SolarCorps outreach fellow at GRID Alternatives Greater Los Angeles, who served in the active duty Army from 2000-2009.

The 6.6 kW system, including panels generously donated by Conergy, are expected to cut in half the sky-high electricity bills generated by his medical equipment, saving him around $2500 a year. The installation also gave the volunteers an opportunity to get hands-on solar training they can use to pursue jobs in an industry that has been particularly welcoming to veterans.

Thanks to Conergy for providing equipment donations to support our work in the Los Angeles area, as well as Wells Fargo for its sponsorship of our national Troops to Solar program.