We launched our office in Fall 2014, and we have been steadily building our brand in the Mid-Atlantic region. Alongside the collective effort of tabling events, in-person interactions on residential solar installations, volunteer opportunities, and launching a job training program, the recognition of GRID in the Mid-Atlantic only continues to vibrate stronger each year. See our stand-out news articles that highlighted many of our accomplishments in 2017!
BBC News filmed a story on Sharon Wise, one of the Solar Works DC job trainees. The video, “Once homeless under a bridge, now working high up on a roof,” highlights Sharon’s inspiring journey and new passion in the clean energy space. She is now actively looking for a job in the industry, or as she says, “Now I’m helping the sun give somebody else some sun.”
The Washington Post interviewed Green Zone Environmental Program (GZEP) (a shorter version of the Solar Works DC program designed for District youths) job trainees along with former GRID homeowners to see how solar has changed their lives. One of the homeowners, Harold Thomas, shared how his bills used to average $100 a month, but have dropped to between 0 and 33 dollars a month, allowing him to buy more food, clothes, and pay more bills.
Our Veterans Day install was covered by WUSA9, where a group of veteran employees from KPMG installed solar for a DC veteran family.
The Christian Science Monitor also shadowed trainees from GZEP. One of the trainees, Devonta, chimed,“I wanted to get a new skill-set to put under my belt.” Devonta is now working for GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic as a SolarCorps Construction Fellow.
Towards the end of the summer, the office wrapped up the last 31 solar residential installation in Baltimore for the Morgan Community Mile project, a milestone captured in this Baltimore Fishbowl article.
Fox 5, ABC 7, and WTOP filmed the kick-off of the Solar Works DC job training program with the DC Mayor, Muriel Bowser, who has honored to commit to the Paris Climate Accord. “I’m always happy when we can talk about our efforts to fight climate change and putting young people on the pathway to the middle class, right here in D.C.,” says the Mayor.
In May, GRID Alternatives hosted its first all-women solar build in the Mid-Atlantic with volunteers from Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Sunrun, and Earth Spark International, for DC homeowner, Bernice Rink. Inspiration from the event was picked up by a Washington Post article, “Nevertheless, we persisted” about women empowerment.
Our second all-women solar build was completed by employees of Inter-American Development Bank at one of the largest solar rooftop residential solar installation in Prince George’s County. The volunteer effort is part of the Inter-American Development Bank’s initiative to make solar energy more inclusive, not only in relation to access but also in the workforce. Their experience volunteering with GRID and their initiative is explained in Inter-American Development Bank's video.
2017 was a year of major accomplishments for the GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic Office. We hope 2018 is as vibrant as 2017. If you would like to support our capacity to provide free solar program and job training opportunities to our community, consider donating to GRID for your End-of-Year Giving!
For more news articles, check out our GRID in the News page!