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.

It’s not every day when opportunity walks through the door and slaps you in the face. But….it happened at GRID Alternatives Central Valley when Irene Morales walked through our doors one wintery day looking to volunteer with us. As luck would have it, through her volunteer efforts and sheer dedication to helping families, Irene became our Development Assistant in December 2013.

What a way to start the year! On January 10, 2015, GRID Alternatives completed its 801st installation in the City of Porterville. GRID Solar Installation Supervisors, a host of volunteers, and members of the Diaz family were on hand to celebrate this installation milestone while enduring winter’s cold chill so common this time of year. Tom Esqueda, GRID’s Regional Director stated that, “we are very proud of the positive economic impact GRID Alternatives has had on families served in this region,

On behalf of everyone at GRID Alternatives Central Valley, we want to take time to thank those who made 2014 one of our most successful years to date.

November 3rd through 7th, 2014 proved to be quite the challenging week for 86 volunteers and staff that braved the fog and cool weather to complete 8 installations for GRID Alternatives’ Central Valley Solarthon 2014. The event was held at the Parksdale Subdivision of Self-Help Enterprises in Madera, California. GRID was once again fortunate to have earned the support from partners throughout the region that included

Good things happen when good things come together. So was the case last Saturday, October 25th, 2014 as GRID Alternatives teamed with Fresno State and Rabobank to complete the third and final installation of Humanics at Fresno State and Rabobank funded solar installations in Reedley, California.

GRID Alternatives is fortunate to have a partnership like SunEdison’s whose employees are actively engaged in building solar installation skills and understanding of the industry through hands-on application. On September 23 & 24, 2014, GRID Central Valley had the opportunity to work hand in hand with crews from SunEdison installing solar in Stockton, California.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson paid a visit to Ceres High Manufacturing Production & Green Technology Academy on August 15, 2014. Superintendent Torlakson was on a statewide tour visiting Career Pathways funded schools throughout the state and stopped to learn of the success that Ceres High School enjoys as a result of incorporating the academy into their high school offerings.

Here in Shannon County, South Dakota, poverty is endemic, perpetuated by substandard housing and lack of economic infrastructure. In the Pine Ridge reservation and surrounding communities, a growing population of Native youth struggles with uncertain opportunity. Tribal and community leaders are facing these obstacles down by embarking on a path of sustainable community development that embraces cultural values and self-determination.