GRID Alternatives Greater Los Angeles, in partnership with Intuit, launched Solar Futures to equip high school students with hands-on solar education and financial literacy—training 40 students in its first year and, with renewed support, expanding this fall to reach even more youth, schools, and communities, while celebrating its impact at the Intuit Dome during a youth-led financial literacy forum.

In June, GRID GLA joined CALSTART’s Zero-Emissions Showcase in Anaheim to highlight the importance of workforce development, clean energy access, and environmental justice in California’s transition to zero-emission transportation.

GRID Alternatives LA hosted its second Green Social on World Environment Day, bringing together community members, trainees, and industry leaders to foster collaboration, equity, and opportunity in LA’s growing green economy.

Summary: After six transformative years, the Watts Rising initiative, funded through California’s Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) program, has come to a close. As a core partner, GRID Alternatives Greater Los Angeles contributed through solar installations, workforce training, and grassroots outreach.

Earlier this year, GRID GLA completed a milestone solar install led entirely by SolarCorps Fellows—from outreach to installation. As the only GRID office to do so, the project highlights our ongoing commitment to workforce development and service, despite national funding cuts to AmeriCorps.

GRID Alternatives Greater Los Angeles teamed up with YouTube educator Susie Hicks, aka “The Climate Chick,” to introduce young audiences to solar power and sustainability. In a special episode filmed at GRID GLA, Susie explores how solar panels work and how clean energy benefits both families and the environment.

To close out Black History Month, GRID Alternatives Greater Los Angeles hosted Black Solar Innovators, a community celebration at Slauson Recreation Center honoring Black leadership in renewable energy. The event featured free food, music, kids’ activities, and a powerful panel of Black sustainability professionals, alongside over a dozen local partners offering resources like solar sign-ups and job training.

GRID Alternatives Greater Los Angeles hosted the Build Green Job Fair in Los Angeles, connecting workforce trainees and recent graduates with employers in clean energy, construction, and sustainability. Designed as a direct bridge from training to employment, the event gave participants the chance to meet with hiring managers, practice interviews, and explore career paths.

To wrap up 2024, GRID Alternatives Greater Los Angeles hosted Santa’s Solar Fest, a cheerful holiday event held at Alliance MIT 6-12 Complex in Sun Valley. Designed to combine festive fun with solar education, the event offered free family photos with Santa, cookie decorating, crafts, and information about no-cost, state-funded solar programs for income-qualified households.

GRID Alternatives Greater Los Angeles (GRID GLA) was honored with the Changemaker Award at the 2024 GREENTECH Festival’s GREEN AWARDS in recognition of its community-driven work advancing clean energy, workforce development, and climate equity. The award highlights GRID GLA’s impact in providing free solar installations for low-income families and job training in the green tech sector.