Our History

GRID Alternatives was founded during the 2001 California energy crisis by Erica Mackie, P.E., and Tim Sears, P.E., two engineering professionals who were implementing renewable energy systems for the private sector. They wanted to develop a nonprofit model to make this technology practical for low-income communities, where households were most adversely affected by high energy prices and utility rate shocks and where neighborhoods were often the location of polluting fossil-fuel power plants. This model became GRID Alternatives’ flagship Solar Affordable Housing Program, which trains and leads teams of community volunteers and job trainees to install solar electric systems with low-income homeowners.

In 2007 GRID Alternatives launched our Greater Los Angeles office, and installed our first systems in Southern California and the Central Valley. In 2008 GRID Alternatives celebrated its third successful office launch, with the introduction of our San Diego office. Now, in 2009, we've expanded our operations to encompass the Central Valley with the establishment of our Fresno office. Visit Our Impact to see our total accomplishments to date.