In March 2024, Solar Futures students from Sherman Indian High School (SIHS) and GRID IE teamed up in Eastside, Riverside, to install solar for the Newton family household located in Eastside’s Santiago Estates manufactured home community, just a block away from GRID IE’s office.
“Riverside and California are getting expensive to live in. I want to make sure my mom is taken care of, and lowering the cost of our electricity bills makes that easier,” shared Eddy Newton, the 34th Eastside homeowner to receive no-cost solar through GRID IE and the City of Riverside’s Eastside Climate Collaborative.
As part of the City of Riverside’s Eastside Climate Collaborative, GRID IE is installing 410 kW of solar panels on up to 100 income-qualified single-family homes within the TCC Riverside project area. The Eastside Climate Collaborative is a partnership funded by the California Strategic Growth Council Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Program until September of 2025.
GRID IE Solar Installation Supervisor, Danny Montero, with homeowner Eddy Newton.
Eddy lives in a community of manufactured homes, where “everybody looks out for each other,” he explained. After receiving expensive quotes from for-profit solar companies, Eddy discovered GRID IE’s no-cost solar program from a flyer delivered throughout his neighborhood by the GRID IE Outreach team. “GRID had a solid plan. They came to my house for a site visit, and were friendly and coordinated,” said Eddy, who chose GRID IE for its no-cost accessibility and nonprofit values that put people first.
Working alongside GRID IE’s professional Construction crew were SIHS Solar Futures students, Romulus “Rom”, Kyle, Tekoa, and Daniel “Yazzie”, who each received certificates from Colin Markovich, Senior District Representative for Senator Sabrina Cervantes, and Toni Rosales, Field Representative for Assemblywoman Leticia Castillo, as a part of the Solar Futures Showcase that featured the Newton family household’s installation. Throughout the years, both Senator Cervantes and Assemblywoman Castillo have shown their support in GRID IE’s mission to bring solar energy and workforce training to the communities they represent.
Rom, Kyle, Tekoa, and Yazzie, with their Senate, Assembly, and Solar Futures certificates.
As Rom, Kyle, Tekoa, and Yazzie neared the end of the Solar Futures program, they reflected on their professional growth and development from working both in the classroom and at real-life builds with GRID’s crew:
“I learned that I’m adaptable and comfortable being on a roof. I’m proud that I know how to run wires, and where to properly connect them.” –Kyle, who felt happy and accomplished on the day of Eddy’s installation.
“I’m proud of myself for having this experience and learning how to install solar from start to end. I will put this on my resume!” –Tekoa, who felt inspired and hopes to learn more about the trades.
“I learned that I can work well in high places. The yoyo, which is a self-retracting lifeline that’s part of the job site’s fall protection system, made me more confident on the roof.” –Rom, who was feeling uplifted and aims to pursue a trade in electrical work.
“At first I was nervous working on the J-box, which houses and protects solar electrical connections on the rooftop––but after Jay, the Solar Trainer and Junior Installation Supervisor at GRID, helped me, it got easier and I was able to do it all by myself.” –Yazzie, who was motivated and plans to explore the trades.
Erik Rodriguez Cerda, Workforce Programs Coordinator
Erik R., the Workforce Programs Coordinator who led a pivotal role in the Solar Futures program with SIHS, explained the importance of the day: “The solar installation and Showcase help to contextualize the students’ work. Not only are they helping homeowners, they are seeing state and local representatives and understanding that their work impacts a larger space.”
In response to the nation's energy challenges, GRID Alternatives is collaborating with high schools and youth programs to educate students on renewable energy and sustainability. Solar Futures provides both classroom and hands-on solar education to K-14 students, with a focus on high school juniors and seniors, to illuminate career pathways in the solar industry. Our classroom-on-the-roof structure allows students to experience hands-on solar training in a real-world setting. Teaching safety and proper tool usage, and adhering to all OSHA safety guidelines, our Solar Installation Supervisors guide students through a hands-on solar installation experience.
To anyone considering participating in Solar Futures, Tekoa and Yazzie said, “Try it! Don't second-guess yourself, just go!” Kyle shared that the program “gives good hands-on experience,” followed by Rom, who said, “Do it. Later in life you’ll see how much fun you missed out on. It’s a life-changing experience and something you can do.”
Yazzie accepting his certificates from Colin Markovich, Senior District Representative for Senator Sabrina Cervantes, Toni Rosales, Field Representative for Assemblywoman Leticia Castillo, and Erik Rodriguez Cerda, GRID IE's Workforce Programs Coordinator.
Since graduating from SIHS in May 2025 and completing the Solar Futures program, Kyle and Rom are now active AHEAD Workforce Development interns at GRID IE through the AHEAD program by FHLBank San Francisco. The AHEAD grant, which funded support for the installation at the Newton family home, aims to deliver job training and address the development needs faced by communities as a result of a changing economy.
Walker Woodard, the Development Manager at GRID IE, shared the impacts made possible by the funded support of FHLBank San Francisco's AHEAD grant and the hard work of the Solar Futures students: “installing this solar system will save 83 tons of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere, equivalent to taking 16 cars off the road or planting 1,939 trees.” Over the system’s lifetime, Eddy’s family will save an estimated $20,553!
"As the Eastside Climate Collaborative grant comes to a close, our Outreach Team hopes to provide utility bill savings and reroofing opportunities to every interested resident in Eastside, including more community members with manufactured homes,” shared Sam, the Senior Outreach Coordinator who oversaw every step of Eddy’s installation.
Eddy encourages his Eastside neighbors to apply soon before time runs out: “Go for it! Reach out and apply. GRID holds itself to high standards. It feels awesome to have more money in my pocket––thank you GRID IE, SIHS Solar Futures, and FHLBank San Francisco.”
We look forward to installing solar for more Eastside families. Eddy–enjoy your savings!