Jurupa Valley High School students built upon their solar installation skills as they participated in a Solar Futures event in Jurupa Valley. The students have been learning about renewable energy in their classrooms and GRID’s installation was an opportunity for students to put what they have learned to the test. Students participated in all aspects of the install including rack assembly, electrical wiring and rooftop assembly of a 5.1 kW solar system.

GRID IE job trainee Fernando Garcia was taking a course at Kaplan University when he found out about building marketable solar installation experience at GRID. He started volunteering with the GRID LA office and later transferred to the Inland Empire office.

GRID IE is approaching an important milestone in October as a 90 kW microgrid system will be installed at the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe’s Community Center in Havasu Lake, California. The microgrid represents another successful project that has already seen the GRID-Chemehuevi partnership blossom with over 80 residential solar systems installed on tribal homes. The partnership has also produced a Solar Spring Break with Duke University and provided photovoltaic (PV) training for over 20 tribal members.

The Solar industry had the second largest quarter in US History based on a recent report from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) — installing over 2.3 gigawatts of solar PV — and is expected to grow to 12 gigawatts of solar capacity by the end of 2017. GRID Alternatives contributed to this growth as the largest nonprofit solar organization in the industry, with nearly 1,200 systems installed in 2017. GRID is also an innovative industry leader through the development of our Multifamily Affordable Solar Program. Our teams assist developers and governmental agencies in providing renewable energy solutions to individuals who live in multifamily structures such as apartment complexes.

Perris homeowner Sergio Carrasco is an Army vet who is very active in the support of military families. He found out about GRID’s Troops to Solar program and how GRID provides an intensive training regimen that includes building a knowledge base of photovoltaic (PV) systems.

The SolarCorps Fellowship Program is a yearlong opportunity for highly motivated individuals to serve communities in need across all departments at GRID Alternatives.

San Diego resident Kathy Nicholson first learned about GRID while attending a Solar Photovoltaic (PV) class at Cuyacama Community College where she heard a presentation by a GRID staff member and decided to sign up to volunteer.

Do you know someone who is considering changing careers? If so, one of the fastest growing segments of the Inland Empire economy is solar. According a study commissioned by Next 10 and reported by the Riverside Press Enterprise, state climate policies have driven $9 billion in direct economic benefits and supported 41,000 jobs in the Inland Empire over the last seven years. The demand continues for skilled workers as there are currently over 80 positions for solar related jobs open in the Inland Empire.

Maria Ocampo moved into her home in Jurupa Valley 12 years ago. Since then, Maria and her two children have worked diligently to transform her house into a home, planting fruit trees around the property and hanging hand-drawn pictures from her daughter around the house.

Homeowner Tally Hoffman developed a love for animals at an early age by spending time with her grandparents who raised cows and chickens on their ranch.