City representatives, community organizations, volunteers, and residents gathered in South Los Angeles on Earth Day to celebrate a major clean-energy milestone: GRID Alternatives Southern California has completed more than 500 residential solar installations in Los Angeles in partnership with the City.
The April 22 celebration took place at the home of Joshua Rodriguez and his family in the Vermont Square neighborhood. As GRID’s construction team installed the family’s new solar system, attendees participated in a SHINE LA neighborhood cleanup, connected with local organizations at a resource fair, received free rooftop solar consultations, and learned about potential clean-energy career opportunities.
“We’re all in charge of taking care of this planet, especially when the economy is designed to work against clean energy,” said Marqueece Harris-Dawson, President of the Los Angeles City Council and representative for District 8, which includes several South Los Angeles neighborhoods.
The event was part of SHINE LA, a citywide movement created by Mayor Karen Bass to bring Angelenos together to beautify neighborhoods and strengthen communities. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 2027 Super Bowl, and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games coming to Los Angeles, SHINE LA is helping residents prepare their neighborhoods to welcome the world through volunteer activities, cleanup efforts, educational programming, and community beautification.
For the Rodriguez family, the Earth Day event marked a more personal milestone. Joshua Rodriguez was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles. When he and his wife began looking for a home where they could raise their family, they decided to remain in the community where they had built their lives together.
“When it was time for my wife and me to buy a house and raise our kids, we realized that we wanted to keep our roots in South Central,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez and his wife, who met nearly 20 years ago, are raising two children, ages 6 and 11. Like many families, they have seen household costs rise and are looking for ways to reduce their energy expenses while teaching their children to use resources responsibly.
“Everything’s getting more expensive,” Rodriguez said. “I notice myself telling my kids the same things my parents told me about conserving energy. These solar panels will help a lot with offsetting those costs. Maybe this year we’ll be able to go on a family trip. We want to take the train up the coast so our kids can see California.”
With support from Transformative Climate Communities funding, GRID SoCal helped provide the Rodriguez family with a new roof, electrical upgrades, and a 6.3-kilowatt solar system.
Over the life of the system, the installation is expected to save the household nearly $25,000 in utility costs while reducing carbon emissions by more than 20 tons. That is the equivalent of taking approximately four cars off the road or planting 477 trees.
During the event, GRID SoCal presented the City of Los Angeles with a commemorative plaque recognizing the shared milestone of more than 500 completed residential solar installations.
“This Earth Day event brings together so many of the values that drive our work: community partnership, neighborhood pride, and equitable access to clean energy,” said Jaime Alonso, Executive Director of GRID Alternatives Southern California. “As part of South LA Eco-Lab and alongside the City of Los Angeles, we are proud to mark the milestone of more than 500 residential solar installations and celebrate the community leadership making this progress possible.”
The Rodriguez family’s installation is part of South LA Eco-Lab, a community-led initiative advancing climate justice, sustainability, and economic opportunity through California’s Transformative Climate Communitiesprogram.
For Orlanda Cunningham, GRID SoCal Senior Outreach Coordinator, the event was also an opportunity to connect more residents with resources that can help reduce their energy bills.
“GRID has been around for more than 20 years,” Cunningham said. “We’re a serious organization, and everything we offer is free.”
GRID’s long history in local communities helps reassure homeowners who may be cautious after receiving aggressive sales pitches from for-profit solar companies. GRID works with trusted local organizations, including SCOPE LA, to help residents learn about available programs through canvassing, workshops, and community events.
The Earth Day celebration reflected that collaborative approach. Volunteers cleaned neighborhood streets. Residents connected with local service providers. Families learned about solar and workforce opportunities. At the center of the event, another South Los Angeles household gained access to the long-term economic and environmental benefits of renewable energy.
“Getting solar and seeing everyone here is a reminder that when you want change, you need to collaborate,” Rodriguez said. “It starts at the local level.”
South LA Eco-Lab is part of GRID SoCal’s broader work to expand access to no-cost solar and related home improvements across Southern California. GRID SoCal is also supporting active Transformative Climate Communities initiatives through Pomona ACTS and Coachella Prospera, helping more families access the financial and environmental benefits of clean energy.
For families like the Rodriguezes, that work can mean lower utility bills, a safer and more efficient home, and more room in the household budget for the things that matter most.
Residents interested in no-cost solar can apply at gridsolar.org or call 866-921-4696.
Know someone who could benefit from lower electric bills? GRID Alternatives has increased its referral reward from $200 to $500 for referrals submitted by July 31, 2026. There is no limit to the number of people you can refer.