Earth Week is an annual weeklong event that celebrates the importance of preserving and protecting our environment. GRID Alternatives continues to make strives to create a better environment through its mission of making clean, renewable energy technology and job training accessible to underserved communities everywhere. Edison International (parent company of Southern California Edison/SCE) teamed up with GRID Alternatives Inland Empire recently to install no cost solar systems for two families in Grand Terrace, California during Earth Week. SCE volunteers spent their Saturday installing solar and learning more about solar systems and the impact it has on families who need it the most.
Through Habitat for Humanity, Alganesh Habte was able to realize her long awaited dream of becoming a homeowner. Alganesh said she did not have knowledge of solar and the benefits it had for her household prior to GRID. GRID’s Energy for All Program is supported through contributions from generous partners such as Edison International. Donations like these enables GRID to help communities by making solar energy more accessible. The Habte and Miller families were very grateful to receive their no cost solar systems and are excited to see the savings on their monthly electric bills.
Special guests in attendance to this earth week solar installation event included: City of Grand Terrace Mayor Darcy McNaboe, executives from Edison International and Habitat for Humanity, who all spoke about the impact of the work that GRID is doing in the communities. “Clean Energy is a key part of our strategy at Southern California Edison. We are able to achieve these important but ambitious climate change goals thanks to partnerships with companies such as GRID Alternatives who is helping to provide the benefits of renewable energy to our communities,” said Southern California Edison’s Vice President of Customer Service Jill C. Anderson. The collaboration of Edison International with GRID helps them to expand solar energy that will reduce the effect on the environment and enable them to continue to provide no cost solar to deserving families such as these.
Homeowners typically see savings between 50 to 75 percent on their electric bills. Edison International’s donation and volunteer work for these families has a huge economic impact. These families collectively can expect to see significant savings over the course of the solar systems lifetime of over $48,000, which prevents emissions of 92 tons of greenhouse gases and is equivalent to 2,151 trees planted. To date, over 500 San Bernardino County homeowners have received no cost solar through GRID.
GRID provides disadvantaged communities long-term relief from seasonal changes in utility bills, while training individuals for positions in one of the fastest growing segments in the economy. For homeowners interested in learning more about GRID’s solar programs and see if you qualify, visit www.gridsolar.org or call 951.465.2864.
Two Grand Terrace Families Receive Solar
