The Solar Works DC program is one of the things we’re most proud of here at GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic. This week, the program hit a huge milestone when it completed its 100th solar installation.
That, of course, called for a celebration… and it didn’t go unnoticed. On hand to commemorate the milestone at an event Tuesday was Mayor Muriel Bowser, whose strong and innovative leadership around green energy has allowed GRID to maximize the positive impact of our work.
“We’ve been running Solar Works DC for nearly two years and trained almost 120 individuals,” said Nicole Steele, executive director of GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic, “In order to meet the goals of the Solar For All program, we absolutely must have qualified employees and that’s where Solar Works DC comes in.”
“As we fulfill our local responsibility to build a greener and more sustainable DC, Solar Works DC is a prime example of how we can take on climate change while also addressing income inequality,” said Mayor Bowser. “By investing in our solar and other green infrastructure, we are creating jobs, building a robust clean economy, and making good on our commitment to do more and do better for the environment.”
Solar Works DC is a low-income solar installation job training program implemented by GRID Mid-Atlantic in partnership with the Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) and the Department of Employment Services (DOES).
Nearly 100 individuals have graduated from the Solar Works DC program since it was initiated in 2017. In attendance Tuesday were 20 students in Solar Works DC’s Spring Cohort, who will graduate in May.
Solar Works DC is a great representation of what GRID Alternatives is all about. GRID’s mission is to make renewable energy technology and job training accessible to all people, including those in underserved communities. Solar Works DC decreases energy costs for its clients in a responsible way, and it provides employment opportunities for District residents in a growing industry.
Tuesday was another example of Washington DC’s commitment to green energy and solar energy in particular.
Three years ago, the DC Council passed the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) Expansion Amendment Act of 2016, which aimed to increase the District’s RPS to 50% and to provide the benefits of solar energy to 100,000 low‐income residents by 2032.
This January, Mayor Bowser signed the Clean Energy DC Omnibus Amendment Act of 2018, which set a mandate of 100 percent renewable energy by 2032. To help achieve that goal, the bill called for doubling the required amount of solar energy deployed in the District.
We’re excited about the growth of Solar Works DC, and we can’t wait to see how it evolves in the future! Check out photos from this event here.