DHS gives GRID Alternatives solar formal support

DESERT HOT SPRINGS – The City Council declared unanimous support for nonprofit GRID Alternatives’ low-income solar programs Tuesday, which have already benefited 83 Desert Hot Springs families.

The state’s solar rebate program, California Solar Initiative, contracted GRID Alternatives to oversee its Single-Family Affordable Solar Homes program — installing renewable energy technology in, and providing job training to underserved communities.

“The city has been really open to working with us, and they see the benefits to the community — both in electrical savings and the high quality job training we provide to people so they can stay in the area and boost the local economy,” said Bambi Tran, Inland Empire regional director.

“We’re seeking formal support of our programs in the cities we are working in because it gives us the recognition of executive leadership and shows that the program is credible.”

Palm Desert previously passed a similar resolution, and GRID Alternatives is working with Cathedral City and Palm Springs to do the same.

GRID Alternatives has already spent thousands of job training hours and close to $2 million in Desert Hot Springs, Tran said, with plans to save each homeowner served $30,000 on average over the 30-plus-year life span of its solar systems.

“It’s positive anytime we can help residents with utility costs,” said Mayor Adam Sanchez. “This speaks to the council and community being very pro-green energy and wanting to help residents who don’t have the means to pay for it.”

To qualify, families must own and live in affordable housing that lies within Southern California Edison’s utility boundaries and has an unshaded and sloped roof.

The applicant family’s income must also not exceed 80 percent of the county’s median income — which in Riverside County means about $46,000, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

GRID Alternatives’ solar systems are designed for 75-percent bill reduction, which is a huge dent in bills that can reach $300 to $500 in Desert Hot Springs during the summer, Tran said.

“Those are savings families can spend on other basic necessities like clothing, food and shelter,” Tran said.

Trainees must be at least 16 years old, but no experience is needed to participate in one of GRID Alternatives’ two-hour orientations and then sign up for volunteer installations. GRID Alternatives hopes the city can assist with its outreach and marketing in the future, Tran said.

“They’ve been great partners with the city,” said Councilman Scott Matas. “We have a community that’s up on a hill and gets a lot of sun, and with renewable energy just outside I think it’s on everybody’s minds.”