What does the Green Contractor Alliance (GCA) offer?
Business Growth and Opportunities:
-
Access to Projects: Partner contractors are eligible to bid on solar installation projects funded by grant programs like the $250M+ SANAH initiative, supporting equitable solar deployment for low-income households across 29 states and territories.
-
Increased Visibility: GCA contractors are featured in GRID’s online directory of vetted partners, making it easier to connect with new opportunities.
Training and Resources:
-
Online Directory: Listing in an online directory of GCA’s vetted contractors, increasing their visibility and chances of securing new project opportunities.
-
Contractor hotline: As a member of our contractor network, you’ll have direct access to a licensed electrician, with over 10 years of solar industry experience, to provide on-the-spot guidance for your construction-related questions.
- SolarCorps Fellows: Potential placement of SolarCorps Fellows within their companies to provide additional support in areas like permitting, project coordination, and client acquisition.
-
In-Person Training: Opportunities for hands-on training focused on safety, quality, and management, ensuring they meet Grid Alternative’s standards and enhance the quality of their work.
- Participate in standardized onboarding, training, and quality assurance processes: This streamlined approach helps reduce confusion and delays often associated with inconsistent procedures.
Community Impact
- Community Engagement and Support: Contractors can play a key role in GRID’s mission to deliver a community-powered transition to clean energy. By partnering with GRID, contractors can contribute to local job creation, retain money within their communities, and build wealth for themselves and their families
Traverse City, MI Communication Event Contractors - Request for Proposal (RFP): GRID Alternatives is seeking qualified contractors to support an upcoming communications event in Traverse City. This RFP outlines the project scope, bidding requirements, and scoring criteria. We invite interested contractors to review the document and submit a proposal according to the guidelines included.
Key Advantages GCA offers to partnered contractors:
Contractors will have access to a range of value-added services designed to bolster their businesses
-
Online Directory: Listing in an online directory of GCA’s vetted subcontractors, increasing their visibility and chances of securing new project opportunities
-
SolarCorps Fellows: Potential placement of SolarCorps Fellows within their companies to provide additional support in areas like permitting, project coordination, and client acquisition
-
Small Business Resource Map: Access to a comprehensive guide connecting them with funding opportunities, training programs, and other business development services
-
In-Person Training: Opportunities for hands-on training focused on safety, quality, and management, ensuring they meet Grid Alternative’s standards and enhance the quality of their work
-
Community Engagement and Support: Contractors can play a key role in GRID’s mission to deliver a community-powered transition to clean energy. By partnering with GRID, contractors can contribute to local job creation, retain money within their communities, and build wealth for themselves and their families
-
Participate in standardized onboarding, training, and quality assurance processes. This streamlined approach helps reduce confusion and delays often associated with inconsistent procedures
How is GCA Unique?
Community-first approach: GRID brings a unique, community-first approach that maximizes benefits for underserved communities. This approach involves working directly with communities to understand their needs and develop solutions tailored to their specific circumstances.
Deep experience with affordable housing: GRID has deep experience working with affordable housing providers to install solar on single-family and multifamily homes. This includes navigating the complexities of the affordable housing ecosystem and overcoming the "split incentives" barrier.
Workforce development and wealth-building opportunities: GRID provides hands-on training opportunities for volunteers, fellows, and new solar workers via its Installation Basic Training (IBT) program which provides a competency-based curriculum designed to help people develop skills relevant to entry-level solar installation jobs and related construction fields. GRID also supports small and disadvantaged business enterprises.
Eligibility
The GCA requirements are:
-
Your company has all necessary state contractor licenses as required by the state to perform your scope of work
-
Your company has a Google review score of 3 stars or higher
-
Your company has completed at least 10 projects under your current licenses
-
Your company is in financially good standing and able to guarantee completion of all assigned projects
What qualities should a GCA partner have?
-
Excellent Installation Quality – strict adherence to GRID Construction Standards
-
Competitive Pricing – important for low-income families
-
Outstanding customer service
-
Reliable and expedited installation
-
Thoroughness in communication
-
Commitment to Workforce Development
Contractors are routinely evaluated on their adherence to our standards and guidelines; Contractors who consistently meet GRID standards are given projects.