While installation tends to be the most visible type of solar job, the industry has opportunities in a multitude of sectors suited for individuals with varying backgrounds - even those who don't want to get on the roof! Solar jobs can be in sales, project management, financing, and many other departments.

After six whirlwind weeks of solar installations, workshops, trainings, canvassing and hot, hot weather, the Department of Energy and the Environment’s (DOEE) Green Zone Solar Plus Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) has drawn to a close. GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic was proud to lead, train and provide new experiences and opportunities to the 15 Green Zone job trainees.

Everyone was standing under the shade of the trees to stay out of the scorching sun. When Tommy Wells of DC’s Department of Energy and the Environment (DOEE) started speaking, groups gathered close together under tents to hear him introduce the signing of the Renewable Portfolio Energy Standard Expansion Act of 2016 (RPS), which was introduced by Councilmember Mary Cheh and was signed into law on July 25th, 2016, by DC Mayor Muriel Bowser.

"I am so grateful for this opportunity. More importantly - it's a win-win-win for everybody," said Theresa Jones, homeowner in Baltimore City, after just having solar installed on her home. Ms. Jones addressed a crowd of people gathered in her backyard, all huddled under tents in order to stay out of the summer’s blazing sun. Ms. Jones’ solar installation was the site of a Memorandum of Understanding signing by the City of Baltimore, Maryland Clean Energy Center, and the US Department of Energy (US DOE) to commit to finding long-term solutions for financing low-income solar in Baltimore. GRID Alternatives was thrilled to host the occasion marking this important step in making solar energy accessible to everyone.

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Washington D.C. just took a major step forward to advance climate action goals by increasing the renewable portfolio standard (RPS) to 50% by 2032. This means that 50% of all energy generation must come from renewable energy sources, which means more wind and more solar! Included in the bill is a 5% solar carve-out that includes a “Solar for All” program intended specifically for low-income households. This is where GRID Alternatives comes in. As the nation’s largest non-profit solar installer, we intend to help the District achieve its goals of helping 100,000 low-income households reduce electricity costs through solar and energy efficiency.

All of a sudden, Mr. Evans jumped out of his chair. “I’m gonna go look at the solar panels on my house!” he said excitedly, as he ran out the door, surprisingly quick for someone over seventy years old. Participants of the Green Zone Environmental Program (GZEP) job training group had just completed the solar installation on Mr. Evans’ home and were enjoying a well-deserved break with the hot dogs and hamburgers that Mr. Evans had prepared. Everyone put down their plates and followed Mr. Evans, who was already at the top of the ladder peering out from under his hard hat at his roof. “Man, this is really something!” he said. Everyone grinned, glad that they had pleased the spritely Mr. Evans, a DC homeowner by the Anacostia River. GRID Alternatives is excited to welcome 15 GZEP job trainees to our team for six weeks!

"Gramma can you believe it? You got solar panels!" squealed eight-year old Diamond as her grandmother looked through pictures of the solar array that was just installed on her roof. Diamond's grandmother, Ida, heard about GRID Alternatives when its offices were only located on the West Coast and waited patiently for years hoping GRID would come to this area. Now that GRID Alternatives has a Mid-Atlantic Regional office in DC, Ida was finally able to get solar on her Baltimore home. People from the Baltimore community came together to make this installation happen: local volunteers, GRID Solar Corps fellows and staff members, AmeriCorps Members from Civic Works' Baltimore Energy Challenge program, and Ida's family members all had a hand in this project. This solar installation was one of the first of many to take place in Baltimore, a result of the shared mission and collaboration of multiple organizations.

GRID is excited to announce the addition of our newest staff member, Commercial Solar Installation Supervisor. Michael Brown! Michael has worked at GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic for two weeks. "I'm looking forward to being an asset to GRID's mission," Michael says, "The combination of environmental stewardship with economic justice that is GRID is exactly what I want to be doing. I hope to continue to bring a greater measure of financial freedom to the residents of DC and Baltimore."

“I’ve never done anything like it,” is how Tysean described his experience installing solar with GRID Alternatives. Tysean is part of the Montgomery County Conservation Corps, a branch of the Lati American Youth Center (LAYC), a group that helps youth obtain their GED while giving them experience in different career fields. This was GRID’s second time working with the LAYC, and it was our pleasure to host Tysean and three other job trainees in our DC office for a week.