January 24, 2024 -- Sacremento, CA GRID Alternatives North Valley is partnering with SMUD to install solar for 15 income-eligible Sacramento homeowners. The agreement includes 12 solar+EV-paired systems and two battery-paired systems. This partnership also includes Swell, with whom SMUD is partnering for their Virtual Power Plant program. The main focus will be a RIbbon Cutting event on Thursday, January 25, 2024 @ 10:00 AM (6544 Stoneman Drive, North Highlands, CA, 95660) celebrating the completion of Kathy Biglar's (GRID's client) home solar + battery storage system. "Going solar has always been too expensive and overwhelming to navigate, but thanks to GRID, I have free solar and anticipate saving up to $200 a month. That's a car payment! Every penny counts," said Ms. Biglar. GRID provides low-to-no cost solar electric systems to families that qualify as low income, and install them using a barnraising model that gives volunteers and job trainees hands-on experience they can use to get jobs in the growing solar industry.
As of today, seven of the fifteen single-family projects have been installed, with the remaining installations in GRID's construction pipeline. The partnership between GRID and SMUD also includes solar for the Sacramento Children's Receiving Home and the Sacramento Native American Health Center. "We're proud to partner with SMUD to help local families address rising energy costs while increasing their ability to withstand climate-driven weather conditions through this solar plus battery storage model," says Achini Bandara, GRID North VAlley Co-Executive Director.
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 supports 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.With an estimated 20 million low income, owner-occupied single family homes in the United States, we have a tremendous opportunity to support the continued growth of solar and the long-term transition to clean, renewable energy that will benefit us all.
About GRID Alternatives North Valley
GRID Alternatives North Valley is an affiliate of GRID Alternatives, a national leader in making the benefits and opportunities of renewable energy accessible to communities on the front lines of economic and environmental injustice. The North Valley regional office serves 21 counties in Northern California, from San Joaquin County to Siskiyou County, with two brick-and-mortar locations in Chico and Sacramento. GRID North Valley has installed 1,600 solar electric systems for low-income households to date, with a combined installed capacity of saving over $48 million in lifetime electricity costs and preventing over 90,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions. Through the program, 2,000 people have also received training. For more information, visit www.gridalternatives.org/NorthValley or click here to learn about solar and storage solutions for nonprofits.
About SMUD
As the nation’s sixth-largest community-owned, not-for-profit, electric service provider, SMUD has been providing low-cost, reliable electricity for more than 70 years to Sacramento County and small adjoining portions of Placer and Yolo Counties. SMUD is a recognized industry leader and award winner for its innovative energy efficiency programs, renewable power technologies, and for its sustainable solutions for a healthier environment. SMUD’s power mix is about 50 percent non-carbon emitting. For more information, visit smud.org.
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