Governor Jerry Brown visited Long Beach on Friday, May 17 to observe the site where homeowners Maribel and Jose Mendoza and their four boys will soon reap the benefits of solar power. Their new 4.3kW system, installed with the help of job trainees from Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC), is the sixth GRID Alternatives installation on the block!
The visit was a chance for the Governor and other officials to see first-hand how California's Single-Family Affordable Homes (SASH) program, managed by GRID, is helping underserved communities across the state. The Mendozas will save up to 90 percent on their electricity bill, savings they plan to use toward their children's schooling.
"GRID Alternatives helps low income people be part of the solar revolution," said the Governor, who spoke to a crowd of GRID supporters and media. Other speakers included Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster, Assembly Member Steven Bradford (D-Gardena), co-author of a bill to extend the SASH program, and Hector de la Torre of the California Air Resources Board.
GRID Alternatives has installed solar for more than 3400 families like the Mendozas to-date, while training more than 11,700 volunteers and job trainees in the basics of solar PV installation.
"We are so thankful for the chance to not only save money for our kids," said Maribel Mendoza, "but also leave them a cleaner environment."
To view pictures from the event, view the photo album here!