Erika and Nicholas Alquinzon are the first homeowners in the city of Dinuba, a small city southeast of Fresno, to receive a solar power system from GRID Alternatives. Both Erika and Nicholas climbed on their roof to install the system with GRID Alternatives staff and volunteers.
“It was a lot of fun working with the volunteers and getting to know them,” said Erika. Nick adds: “I like to work with my hands and to find out how the solar system works. And of course the solar system brings a lot of benefits to our family, so it was an awesome experience to install the solar system myself.” Installation day was a multi-generational affair for their family. As the couple was working on the roof with the installation team, their 22-month-old son Nick and his grandfather were watching from the ground. Both Erika and Nicholas work full-time outside of the home, but grandpa babysits little Nick to support the family. Nicholas said, “He babysits full-time, and I do the yard for him in return. This way we can help out each other.”
Erika just started a new job as a self-sufficiency counselor for Tulare County and helps low-income families apply for food stamps and other services. On the side she tutors kids in math. Nicholas works for the city of Dinuba as grounds maintenance worker. In addition to this job, he volunteers at the local fire station, where he attends a training once a week for his side-job as part-time firefighter.
Recently, the family experienced tough financial times. With the help of the city they were able to purchase a home built by the local high school. “Without the help of the city and the low monthly payment we would probably not be able to live in a home like this,” said Nicholas.
In addition to his multiple jobs, Nicholas also goes to school three nights a week at ITT Tech in pursuit of a degree in computer drafting and design. “I always wanted to go back to school to study drafting, but I felt like our finances do not allow it. But I decided, better to do it now, otherwise I might never do it. And with our low monthly payment and now the savings from the solar system I feel like I can really concentrate on my education,” he said.
Nicholas is excited about their new solar power system and he frequently goes to see the meter spin backwards. “It’s nice to not have to worry about the electricity bill anymore and use clean energy so my son has a better future,” he said.
See photos from the installation here.
See a local newspaper article about the installation here.
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