Fellow Projects

See what some of our SolarCorps are up to: 

Thank you to Emerson Collective for creating this incredible video.

Current Projects

Three women pose in front of a large yellow forklift in a parking lot. They are each wearing yellow reflective vests, white hard hats, and face masks. Behind them the sky is partially cloudy and partially blue.
Maya Anthony: Multi Family Outreach Fellow  

Within her first month with GRID, Maya was tapped to help out with a 628 kW ground mount solar array. This project is estimated to have $647,237 in energy savings over 20 years, which will lower operating costs for the community housing group and allow residents to save on their energy bills! Read more about Maya's project here. 






Claire is sitting on a chair outside surrounded by plants. She has her head tilted slightly to the right and she’s smiling at the camera. Behind her and the plants is a black fence.
Claire Laurentine: Workforce Development Fellow

Alongside the workforce development team at the GRID North Valley office, Claire has been working to plan a hybrid distance and hands on training session in partnership with the Sacramento non-profit, Women’s Empowerment (WE). The mission of Women’s Empowerment is to educate and empower women who are experiencing homelessness with the skills and confidence necessary to get a job, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and regain a home for themselves and their children.

Up to 15 people from WE will be able to participate in two weeks of distance learning to familiarize themselves with GRID, the basics of solar, roof and tool safety, electricity basics, installation, and employment readiness. Following the distance learning portion of the training, six participants will be able to participate in two weeks of hands-on training in the North Valley Training Center. Using individual work stations and a mock roof, participants will gain in-person experience in everything from PV placement to conduit bending. Additionally, they will gain OSHA-10 and First Aid/CPR certifications. The hands-on session will end with a digital "Solar Showcase," where hiring employers will present current opportunities at their companies, open positions, answer questions from trainees, and watch a live installation on the mock roof. Participants who complete all four weeks of the training will be awarded a graduation certificate and a stipend. This partnership with Women's Empowerment furthers GRID's mission of supporting Women in Solar and building an environment where everyone can thrive in a career in renewable energy.

Garrison is standing in front of a window and a cabinet, grinning. He is wearing a blue button-up shirt.
Garrison Davis: Construction and Outreach Fellow 

In Loleta, California Garrison joined GRID’s North Coast construction team. 

In October, Garrison assisted with a 3.204 kW system in Loleta, California. This system has an expected output of 3,951 kW per year, which is anticipated to provide a $18,111.81 of savings over the lifetime of the project. Garrison captured the installation on camera and interviewed two of GRID’s new interns about their experience with the installation, which happened to be on their neighbor’s home! 

Past Projects: 

Luis is in the center of the photo, smiling with his arms resting on the back of a pick up truck. He is wearing sunglasses and a hard hat, with the sleeves of his T-shirt rolled up. In the background, part of an SUV is visible, along with a white trailer
Luis Amar, SC’20

What happens to solar panels when they’ve reached the end of their life? During his SolarCorps term, Luis sought to answer this question for GRID. With six of GRID’s eight regional offices located in California, Luis realized the importance of properly disposing of solar panels (PV modules) in accordance with California law. Luis found that because PV modules contain cadmium, tellurium and other metals California considers them to be hazardous waste. Luckily, Luis shared, about 90 to 100% of the materials can be separated and recycled at recycling facilities throughout the US. Through his research, Luis provided valuable information to GRID on where and how to recycle PV modules. 

Seven people are standing on a lawn in front of a house with solar panels. They are all wearing white GRID Alternative t-shirts
Felimon De Jesus, SC’20 and SC’21

Partnering with students at his alma mater, California State University - Fresno, Felimon analyzed GRID’s marketing strategies and found new ways to engage volunteers. 

By working with CSU Fresno students, Felimon was able to provide GRID with an in-depth analysis of the organization’s marketing strategies as a Service Learning Project. Felimon and his peers reviewed GRID’s services, products, distribution, and promotion using a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis. The team worked with a local radio station to advertise GRID’s work and pushed for additional volunteer opportunities during weekends to accommodate more student volunteers. 

News From the Field

See All
A view of solar arrays with mountains in the background
At GRID, our work centers climate action, environmental justice, and economic development in... Read more ›
GRID is honoring Black History Month and Black Futures Month by celebrating Black Achievement at... Read more ›
Ravi, in a hard hat, on a roof, smiles at the camera as he holds a drill
Four years ago, Ravi Mikkelsen stepped foot on a GRID solar installation project for the very first... Read more ›
GRID is honoring Black History Month and Black Futures Month by celebrating Black Achievement at... Read more ›
GRID is honoring Black History Month and Black Futures Month by celebrating Black Achievement at... Read more ›
GRID is honoring Black History Month and Black Futures Month by celebrating Black Achievement at... Read more ›
Tessa is wearing a yellow hard hat and orange safety vest. She's posing in front of a ground-mount solar array on a cloudy day.
Tessa McLean, an Anishinaabe Tribal member from Pinaymootang First Nation, recounts her experience... Read more ›
Solar trainees wearing safety vest and hard hats pose in front of a ground mount solar array
In early September, the Tribal Program selected 16 trainees from 140 applicants to participate in a... Read more ›
GRID is honoring Black History Month and Black Futures Month by celebrating Black Achievement at... Read more ›
Portrait-style photo of Manny Anyiam
GRID is honoring Black History Month and Black Futures Month by celebrating Black Achievement at... Read more ›