This year is the sixth annual Central Valley Solarthon. This event brings together over one hundred corporate employee volunteers, job trainees, and community volunteers.

The Solar Job Fair, held in partnership with PG&E and SunEdison, brought 16 local solar companies to the Manchester Center, seeking resumes and job-seeker information in order to fill an estimated 180 positions, including solar installers, marketers and sales representatives.

During a cold November winters day in 2014, William began his journey with GRID Alternatives as a Proteus student in the Central Valley.

Unlike other teens, who might prefer to spend their Saturday mornings sleeping, a group of 12 Tulare County High School students used the knowledge they learned at the SunPower Solar Science Academy to join GRID Alternatives to help install a 3kW system on the roof of the Ceja family’s home in Porterville, California.

In the midst of the Central Valley heat, several Proteus students and community members gathered to help install a 3.27kW solar system on the roof of the Barcellos’ home. A graduate from the local job training program, Proteus, Avelino Barcellos was thrilled to have solar installed by volunteers from GRID Alternatives.

Days are growing warmer and as the temperature rises so does the level of eagerness with local Edison High School students that are preparing for graduation. Through a recent installation experience with GRID Alternatives, Yanessa Gonzalez’s excitement caught the attention of GRID staff members.

GRID Alternatives Central Valley is pleased to announce the acceptance of a $10,000 grant through Bank of America’s Charitable Foundation that works to connect communities in order to help improve economic futures by addressing issues relating to jobs, housing and basic human services. Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s focus on workforce development fits with GRID Alternatives’ mission to make renewable energy technology and job training accessible to underserved communities. “We are truly grateful for being the recipients of this grant and we look forward to continuing to impact local families with the funds given” stated Regional Director Tom Esqueda.

When you think of college spring break, you may think of adventurous road trips with friends, parties by the beach, or just catching up on sleep from the previous week of late nights studying for midterms. Instead, a group of 13 students participating in the Alternative Spring Break program from California State University, Fresno partnered with GRID Alternatives to lend a helping hand installing solar panels for two individuals in Fresno’s downtown Lowell District. The Alternative Spring Break program gives opportunity for students to give back and empower local neighborhoods. Fresno State ASB students discussed their motivation to participate on the installs.

On a chilly November morning in 2014, GRID completed its first multi-family installation in Fresno, California at the Viking Village Apartments. As one of the volunteers on this project, Cynthia Mancillas discovered her passion for solar installation. “It was a great feeling knowing my family and the rest of community would benefit from the install.

Last month, GRID Alternatives joined representatives of housing organizations, foundations, finance companies and solar companies from around the country for a White House summit on solar for multifamily affordable housing. Solar has a lot of benefits for housing authorities and other affordable housing owners, and as part of his 2013 Climate Action Plan, President Obama called for 100 MW of solar on Federally-assisted housing.