GRID IE is proud to announce the completion of the final TCC Ontario solar installation, meeting the TCC grant's total kilowatt-hour installation requirements. It is an incredible achievement for the entire GRID IE team!
The Ontario Together TCC grant is a community-driven plan and initiative to transform a 4.86-square mile downtown area through a suite of projects and plans that will reduce GHG emissions while also providing local environmental, health, and economic co-benefits.
Ten projects comprise Ontario Together. GRID IE was responsible for Rooftop Solar. The TCC grant funded two distinct projects aimed at installing rooftop solar systems on residential properties, one focused on multifamily properties and the other on single-family homes. These two projects will enhance local renewable energy generation and lower energy costs for residents in the project area.
Over the last five years, this critical work continued through a global pandemic and the hottest weather on record. We are so proud of everyone here at GRID, without whom none of this would have been possible. Every person in every department was integral to ensuring the completion of this project.
Alejandra, Victoria, and Cindy speaking at the Solar Showcase as IBT 200 trainees working with the GRID IE Construction Team install the final system on the home behind them.
GRID IE held a Solar Showcase to celebrate this event, inviting local residents, VIPs, and employees to witness the installation of this solar system—and enjoy light refreshments and cake!
In attendance to celebrate with GRID IE was Nadya, representing the office of Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez. Nadya spoke to the group and presented a certificate of recognition, which Alejandra accepted on behalf of GRID IE.
Alejandra received a certificate of recognition on behalf of GRID, presented by Nadya, representing the office of Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez.
Alejandra Guillen-Garcia, a GRID IE Senior Outreach Coordinator, spoke at the event, saying,
"When I started at GRID, it was around the same time that the TCC Ontario funds began. Throughout these four years, I have had the pleasure of assisting the Ontario community by making solar energy possible for their homes and helping them with solar installation and their re-roofing needs.
Many of the homes that applied would not have been able to move forward with solar without the TCC Ontario funds to assist by fixing their roofs.
Our efforts in the Ontario community have also spread by word of mouth and there have been instances where one family has referred three other families who then had solar installed by GRID IE."
In attendance to celebrate with GRID IE was Nadya, representing the office of Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez. Nadya spoke to the group and presented a certificate of recognition, which Alejandra accepted on behalf of GRID.
Alejandra (behind) and Cindy (podium).
Cindy Corrales, GRID IEs Workforce Development Director, was also in attendance at the Solar Showcase; she addressed the group,
“During the term of GRID IE’s TCC Ontario Shines residential solar projects, we could offer and place twenty positions through GRID IE’s Internship program. Of those twenty internships, we hired ten Outreach Interns to help with marketing, pre-screens, identifying and meeting families to see if they qualified for GRID IE’s solar program, four Site Visit Interns to conduct the preliminary site assessments and collect critical design data, three Photo-Voltaic Design Interns to take that data and design a solar system for permitting, and three installation interns to support the construction crew in building those very systems that previous interns before them have touched.
Immediately after completing the internship program, 55% reported landing full-time employment, and 30% reported continued education. GRID IE additionally engaged seventy-three individuals through outside funding, partnerships, and programming to assist in completing these TCC Ontario residential solar projects.
These individuals included eight SolarCorps Fellows, two Solar Futures high school teams from Arroyo Valley and Sherman Indian High Schools, fifteen paid construction interns, and twenty-two Installation Basics Training 200 trainees, of which eight trainees are helping to assist with the installation of this system today.
Workforce programs like these provide pivotal opportunities for folks to get meaningful employment experience in solar and clean energy through the unique lens of community and non-profit work. GRID IE will continue to wrap meaningful workforce programming like our paid Internships, Fellowships, IBT 200, Solar Futures, and others, to the many community projects we aim to complete here in our Inland communities.”
From left to right: Alejandra, Victoria, and Cindy at the Solar Celebration.
Victoria Pacheco, GRID IEs Community Development Officer, was integral to organizing and arranging this Solar Showcase and has been a key voice representing GRID IE in the Ontario Community stated,
"This community has proven that despite beginning Outreach efforts at the start of the pandemic, GRID IE, the City of Ontario, and residents were eager for neighborhood transformation through the Ontario Shine Program.
The Outreach team and partnering organizations connected through any viable stream of communication and were resilient and persistent, which led to this amazing accomplishment and the completion of the TCC Ontario grant."
GRID IE will continue working with the City of Ontario to serve its residents.
While the TCC Grant is ending, many opportunities remain to continue our important work in this vibrant community.