On a sunny August afternoon in South Sacramento, GRID Alternatives North Valley staff and volunteers stepped off of Milton Currie’s roof after installing a no-cost solar-electric system through GRID’s partnership with Sacramento’s local utility company. His gentle smile and welcoming demeanor invited an opportunity to connect and discuss how the installation experience affects his life.
Currie re-located to Sacramento from San Jose in the 1980’s for his job with AT&T and Pacific Bell, where he worked for 32 years. He shared his thoughts and concerns about resource distribution in the region. He said “It seems where all the improvements come in, or end up being, is less diverse. I mean it’s less for African Americans or minorities…”. He spoke about how GRID Alternatives’ program to serve those who are, in other ways, underserved, addresses this issue. He said “I am very happy about it. I am happy that it exists […] Being on a fixed income, all savings is good. Like I had to get help with my mortgage because of how the interest rates went up.”
This project was made possible because of our partnership with Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD). The local Sacramento Utility sent out thousands of letters on behalf of GRID Alternatives to low-income customers on SMUD’s Energy Assistant Program Rate (EAPR). These SMUD customers receive a 44% monthly discount on their electricity bill to ease financial burdens.
Over the next 20 years, Milton’s 14 solar electric panels will save him an estimated $11,520. As the GRID crew left Milton’s home that day, he again expressed his gratitude for the project. “I am just very grateful that I get to take advantage of this. It’s gonna help in a lot of different ways…it will take a lot off my mind.”