On Saturday, October 13th, GRID Alternatives Inland Empire (GRID IE) installed a new solar energy system on the home of Yolanda Arenas, a single parent and lifelong resident of Perris. Over the past year, Ms. Arenas living situation has greatly improved as she was finally able to provide her children with a Habitat for Humanity-renovated home in a safe neighborhood. Now she has a new solar energy system on her roof thanks to GRID Alternatives, which is expected to save her at least 91% on her annual energy bill.
The dedicated volunteer installation team included members of the Association of Environmental Professionals - Inland Empire Chapter (AEP-IEC), a nonprofit organization made up of environmental professionals, such as biologists and lawyers within the Inland Empire, who come together to enhance and protect the natural and human environment. All were thrilled to get a hands-on experience with solar.
"Everyones talking about solar!" said Greg Graham, GRID IE Solar Installation Supervisor. "Volunteers tell me that they always hear about solar on the news and now here they are installing solar professionally! They all agree that the installation process is much easier and quicker than it sounds." Volunteers installed a 10-panel, 2 kW system on Ms. Arenas garage in just one day! The system is expected to save the family over $8,831 and eliminate 56 tons of greenhouse gases over the lifetime of the system thats an equivalent of 1,309 trees being planted!
Jenny Cleary, V.P. of Membership at AEP-IEC, shared that she and her friends had a great time at the installation. Jenny believes that installing solar energy systems with GRID IE is an awesome and unique way to become involved in the community. "People can donate money to nonprofits, but not everyone has a chance to actually become involved with nonprofit projects. By allowing people to participate in installs, GRID Alternatives gives people the opportunity to donate time and see the immediate impact they are having on families, which is a very cool aspect of GRID Alternatives," said Jenny.
By Judy Ramos, Development and Marketing Intern, Posted 21 November 2012