“Not only are we saving energy for the family we are installing solar panels for, but there is a sense of comradery.” - Katrina Metzler, Executive Director of the National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition and first time GRID Volunteer with WGL.

On November 3, 2018, volunteers from WGL Holdings joined GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic to install solar for two families in the District of Columbia as part of their Annual Day of Weatherization.

WGL’s Day of Weatherization is an annual initiative where regional employees volunteer in the community to help weatherize homes for residents who may have difficulty staying warm or paying for electricity bills during the winter. This year, more than 215 employees, friends, and family members of WGL dedicated their Saturday helping those in need across Maryland, Virginia, the District Columbia, and West Virginia. Twelve of these volunteers were found alongside our GRID staff wearing hard hats, harnesses, and gloves to safely set up the foundation for solar panels to be installed on two households in Northwest DC.

Kevin Anderson, Director of Electricity Supply and Trading at WGL, shares, “This is my third time volunteering with GRID. I enjoy doing this work [...] I like to be hands-on and give the opportunity to put solar on someone’s roof and help the District of Columbia community at large.”

This was the fourth consecutive year WGL partnered with GRID Mid-Atlantic to provide a solar system for a low-income homeowner in DC. With temperatures dropping, old homes can lose a lot of heat and drive up bill costs. Katrina Metzler, as the Executive Director of the National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition, is familiar with this phenomenon and how it affects vulnerable communities. Katrina volunteers with WGL every year and says that energy efficiency practices like sealing cracks and fixing windows are low hanging fruit, but make a big difference. She’s excited to volunteer with GRID for the first time and see other services like no-cost solar that are helping families afford their electricity bills.  

Two homeowners benefiting from WGL’s Annual Day of Weatherization are within a six minute drive from each other. Homeowner Geraldine, who has lived in her house for over 30 years, received a 3.9 kW system that will save her $720 annually. Similarly, the other homeowner, Jean, will save an average of  $710 annually with her new 4.1 kW system. That’s money that can be put into savings or go towards groceries, medical care, and other family needs.