Solarthon

Los Angeles is increasingly becoming a clean technology hub, but for South Los Angeles residents, who face severe economic and environmental challenges—high rates of foreclosure, unemployment, and pollution—the benefits of clean energy are typically out of reach. All that changed in one neighborhood on Saturday November 10th, when GRID Alternatives Greater Los Angeles installed solar electric systems for ten low-income families in the lovely Willowbrook area.
Solarthon is GRID Alternatives' flagship community installation event, a fundraiser and solar block party that brings people together - individual fundraisers, corporate sponsors, job trainees, community leaders and the homeowners themselves - to install multiple solar PV systems in one community.
In April it was Madera, a small agricultural community outside of Fresno; in May, San Jacinto; in June, National City, San Diego’s unassuming neighbor, and East San Jose in July. All over California, entire working–class neighborhoods are going solar through GRID Alternatives’ “Solarthons.” During these one-day events, hundreds of volunteers from all walks of life join low-income homeowners to install solar electric systems on multiple homes in one neighborhood in one day, while raising money and awareness for GRID Alternatives’ work.