February 19, 2024, Pacoima, Los Angeles GRID Alternatives Greater Los Angeles (GRID GLA) is partnering with The Green Together Collaborative to build a safe, healthy, socially inclusive/equitable, climate-resilient community in the Pacoima and Sun Valley Communities. Supported by California Strategic Growth Council's Transformative Communities Program with a $23m grant from California Climate Investments – Cap-and-Trade Dollars at Work, the Collaborative allows for improving energy efficiency with solar installations while providing training and jobs for in-demand skills utilizing GRID GLA's Workforce Development Program. GRID GLA has funding to install 669 kW of rooftop solar-free to Pacoima and Sun Valley homeowners, approximately 175 homes.
Congressman Tony Cárdenas will visit the residential solar installation on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, 10:00 AM- 11:00 AM at Erlinda Delgado's home: 13012 Filmore St, Pacoima, CA 91331. GRID Alternatives has funding through the state of CA to install free solar for 200 Pacoima and Sun Valley homes. The prevalence has repeatedly broken the community's trust in solar scammers. Congressman Cárdenas was born in Pacoima and raised by immigrants in the primarily Hispanic/Latino Community. As an elected official from the community, he is helping legitimize the program. The Congressman has led the fight against climate change throughout his time in public service. He is visiting the solar installation to see how government funds to distribute equitable renewable energy impact communities at the grassroots level. "The prevalence has repeatedly broken community trust of solar scammers," says Stella Ursua - Director of Community Engagement & Partnerships. "We have been dealing with the after-effects of many years of solar scammers in this part of the county, so building trust and rapport has been critical to connecting our most vulnerable community members and families to our program."
GRID Alternatives makes solar power accessible to families who need the most savings while providing hands-on solar installation experience to volunteers and job trainees. GRID provides low-to-no-cost solar electric systems to families that qualify as low-income and installs them using a barn-raising model that gives volunteers and job trainees hands-on experience they can use to get jobs in the growing solar industry. Each project has a triple impact: energy cost savings that help struggling families put food on the table or pay medical expenses; a classroom in the field for solar aspirants that support local employment and the growing solar industry; and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions that helps local governments reach their emissions targets and contributes to cleaner air for everyone. GRID has brought to fruition the following solar-related projects in the Pacoima communities:
- Completed 25 solar rooftop installations
- Installed 86.2 kW of solar
- Provided families with 21 cool roofs
- Workforce Development: 40 participants funded by the Green Together Collaborative have graduated from our solar training program
"The Valley has been grappling with climate impacts for years," says GTC Community Engagement Coordinator Ruben Montoya. "Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and air pollution have taken a toll on our environment and health. Our solar energy program makes a difference by providing clean energy solutions to residents and businesses. We are thrilled that Congressman Cardenas is taking an interest in our program. His visit underscores the importance of sustainable energy sources for our community."
GRID plans to install the GTC Community Resiliency Center at HACLA San Fernando Gardens for future solar initiatives in Pacoima this year. GRID will also host Solar Clinics and Office Hours at Pacoima City Hall this year to ensure residents know and are educated on the available solar resources (e.g., installations and training opportunities).
Testimonial from Leo Gonzales, Pacoima homeowner, who has benefited from GRID solar panels.
About GRID Alternatives
GRID Alternatives is an international, U.S.-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that builds community-powered solutions to advance economic and environmental justice through renewable energy. GRID works in the U.S., Mexico, Nepal, and Nicaragua and has installed solar photovoltaic systems on more than 29,500 homes and affordable housing developments in underserved communities while providing more than 33,200 individuals with workforce development training. GRID also provides clean mobility solutions and battery storage and is a leading voice in low-income solar policy development in the U.S. Installation Basics Training (IBT), a competency-based certificate program designed to develop the skills most relevant to entry-level solar installation jobs and related construction employment fields. Trainees learn solar installation skills, OSHA 10 safety standards, first aid and CPR, and soft skills, including interpersonal communication and dependability, to help job trainees obtain and sustain employment.