“My name is Alfredo. The reason why I got into the solar class is because I think eventually everybody is going to want solar panels on their roof. They’ll be able to save money using the sun with solar panels.”

Veronica Johnson is a single mother of three and a resident of a Denver Housing Authority apartment building. Veronica was working in the kitchen at a Denver Public School, but wasn't satisfied with her job. She wanted work with her hands, building things that people needed. Veronica started looking into classes offered at the Denver Housing Authority, and found GRID's Solar Training Academy, a two week introductory solar course that is designed to provide a pipeline to employment in the solar industry for low-income qualified Denver metro area residents. 

GRID Alternatives created the Solar Futures program to provide both classroom and hands-on solar education to K-14 students, with a focus on high school juniors and seniors, to provide opportunities to learn more about solar power and illuminate career pathways in the booming solar industry.

Wes Cowan joined GRID Alternatives through our Solar Training Academy, a two week intensive hands-on and classroom based training in the basics of solar installation. The goal of the Solar Training Academy is to provide opportunities for solar job training to diverse individuals of low to moderate income. Originally from Oklahoma, Wes has had a passion for renewable energy since he was in high school. He hopes to return to his high school someday to help them become the first Oklahoma high school to install solar and use renewable energy for their energy supply.

In June, GRID Colorado completed our first Solar Training Academy in partnership with the Denver Housing Authority and Denver Urban Renewal Authority. The Solar Training Academy is a two week intensive training program designed to provide individuals with low to moderate incomes with the skills they need to begin pursuing a career in solar. Participants receive an introductory course from Solar Energy International, a basic skills workshop, three days of on-site training, and career-readiness support including meeting other solar employers in the Denver area.

You make a difference.

You really do. You bring your enthusiasm, your knowledge, your strength, and your financial support together to install solar and serve local families in need. Every system you install means more money in local families' pockets, more clean energy and offset greenhouse gases, and more opportunities for training in the booming solar industry. 

But don't just take it from us!