Veterans

As part of our Troops to Solar initiative, GRID Alternatives GLA is committed to hosting six installs with veteran teams for veteran homeowners.

“One of the construction team installing my solar system mentioned that there are workforce opportunities for veterans,” he says. “I’m going to apply, I’d love to be a part of the team.”

Esmeralda Ramirez’s life changed over a cup of coffee - and volunteering with GRID. An army veteran, she had recently returned from the Middle East, where she spent twelve years working in fuel security in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan, receiving and testing fuel shipped in for convoys and other military transport vehicles, and wanted a change.

GRID Alternatives North Valley kicked off our Troops to Solar program, after a successful veteran pizza and orientation event at Volunteers of America’s beautiful Veterans Service Center, with a Vets Serving Vets installation at the Vang household in Sacramento on March 1st and 2nd.

Chong Vang and his family were gracious hosts, enthusiastic about receiving their solar electric system and becoming part of the GRID family. During lunchtime, the GRID team gathered together with the Vang family in their living room to hear Vang’s stories about serving alongside American forces in the Vietnam War, translated by GRID Outreach Coordinator Xiong Lee, and to view pictures of his memories from that time.

We are excited to welcome Jocelyn DeLeon to the GRID Alternatives family as our new Outreach Assistant in the Central Coast South office.

Join GRID IE and local veterans by donating to our Troops to Solar initiative...

Last week at GRID GLA, we celebrated four years of working with Mitsubishi Electric’s Photovoltaic Division with two solar installations for low-income families.

This Veterans Day, GRID Alternatives announced our national Troops to Solar initiative to connect veterans to solar jobs by providing hands-on training to 1000 U.S. military veterans and active service members across the country. The initiative, supported by a 3-year, $750,000 grant from Wells Fargo, builds on the job training work we have have been doing with veterans at across the country.

GRID Alternatives' has some of the best volunteers around; Steve DePalmer is no exception. Learn more about Steve, his passions and what drives (or should I say jets) him toward the solar industry.