In June 2020, the City of Riverside and its partners were awarded two grants totaling $31,221,206 from the Transformative Climate Communities Program (TCC) and Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program—for the Eastside Climate Collaborative.
The Eastside Neighborhood is one of Riverside's oldest and largest residential neighborhoods. It has been part of the City since its founding in 1870 and is nestled in the heart of the eastern portion of the City. In the early 20th Century, many workers in Riverside's booming citrus industry resided in the Eastside neighborhood. Families who are descendants of these original Eastside residents still live in the Eastside today. The neighborhood remains residential, with most homes built before the 1950s.
GRID IE is a proud partner of Eastside Climate Collaborative and will install rooftop solar panels on 100 single- and multi-family homes. In addition, GRID IE will provide training and job benefits to the residents of Eastside.
In April 2024, Eastside Resident Lupe Fuentes became the 21st of 100 to receive solar through the City of Riverside and GRID IE partnership.
To celebrate this, and in collaboration with the Community Action Partnership of Riverside (CAP Riverside), GRID IE held a Solar Showcase during the installation. These events allow the local community, in this case, Eastside, to get to know GRID IE and its partners in person and in the safety of their own neighborhood. Community outreach activities are critical in building trust with the community, and by holding Solar Showcases at the homes of residents who are getting free, no-cost solar, and allowing friends and neighbors to interact with the homeowner and GRID IE staff and partners in a no-pressure environment—the residents of Eastside can learn about all the benefits that living within the grant area brings them—not only free solar, but also shade trees, job training, low-water landscaping, and many other grant-funded benefits.
Thank you to Lupe for allowing us to hold this important event at her home. Lupe's home was an ideal location to show the benefits of the many programs available through the Eastside Climate Collaborative. Lupe not only has solar installed by GRID IE, but has also benefited from a new roof on her home and free shade trees in her yard.
Karla López del Río, Executive Director of CAP Riverside, Victoria Pacheco, GRID IE's Community Development Officer, and Lupe Fuentes, homeowner.
Karla López del Río, Executive Director of CAP Riverside, attended the event to speak to local residents, GRID, and CAP Riverside staff and, most importantly, to meet Lupe and her family. Karla's passion is empowering working families and communities to reach their fullest potential. As a community development executive, she has a proven track record of creating complex collaborations that enhance residents' financial wellness and quality of life.
Through the generous support of CAP Riverside, funds were available to upgrade and repair Lupe's roof, making it suitable for solar installation and increasing the weatherization of her home.
Lupe was also generous with her time, agreeing to an interview with Jessica Sams, GRID IE’s Marketing Coordinator.
“When I was younger, Eastside neighbors got together in the summer or after work and played games. We did a lot of walking, like crossing the train tracks to go to the Fox Theater. It was hot, but we were young and didn't really feel the heat,” shared smiling Lupe, a lifetime resident of Eastside for 93 years.
Lupe, her pet husky, Rica, and Jessica sat down in the plant-filled backyard of her historic home, where she was born and raised. She recalled life during her youth: “Everything used to be orange groves,” said Lupe, who witnessed Eastside through World War II, segregation, and redevelopment initiatives.
Bernard, her son and caretaker, joined our conversation. Over time, he observed that “hardly anyone in the neighborhood is a homeowner anymore. It’s mostly renters or family members with houses left to them by their parents or grandparents.” Echoing her son, Lupe added that “about one or two of my friends are still here. They’re in their 90s now.”
Through the Eastside Climate Collaborative, a partnership funded by the California Strategic Growth Council Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Program, Lupe and her son, Bernard, are the 21st homeowners to receive solar from GRID IE as part of the 410kW-dc solar installation grant for up to 100 low-income single-family homes within the TCC Riverside project area.
Bernard discovered GRID IE’s solar program through our local TreePeople partner, Bryan. After planting various trees in Bernard’s yard through their shade tree program, Bernard decided to do further research on GRID: “I worked in construction, so I spoke to my friends who are electricians—they said go to the solar company themselves. So, I went to the GRID IE office in Riverside,” shared Bernard. From there, he sat down with Yoselyn, GRID IE’s Outreach Manager, and “That’s what made it real—being able to sit down like we are now and talk. I can tell that everyone here enjoys their work,” said Bernard, as he picked lemons and admired the blooming plum trees that TreePeople planted in the backyard.
“Something new I’ve learned is resources,” shared Bernard, who has beautified their backyard with fruit and shade trees thanks to organizations like TreePeople. This led him to GRID IE’s solar program. Now, Bernard has been able to extend these resources to his neighbors: “I have a few interested folks coming over to look at my GRID contract. And two houses over, my neighbor is also applying.”
As the day ended, Lupe said, “I’m happy to see GRID’s staff here and everybody doing what they're supposed to do. I hope this helps with our electric bill. I am the first house on my block to have solar with GRID!” For Bernard, he felt comfortable and rewarded: “I like to turn the heater on for my mom in the morning, and the AC in the evening—so that she can feel comfortable. Having solar is going to be helpful.”
We look forward to your savings, Lupe and Bernard!