Two important partners came together to bring new light to a small corner of San Luis Obispo on August 24th, 2013 when GRID Alternatives hosted one of its annual Solarthon fundraisers. Three homes being built by Habitat for Humanity of San Luis Obispo County were outfitted with solar electric systems during the event, thanks to around 50 volunteers and job trainees. When the houses are completed in September, three deserving families will move into homes crafted by the hands of volunteers and powered by the rays of the sun.
The savings are going to have a huge impact on our family, said homeowners Andrea and Daryn Flem, whose family will be receiving a solar system during the event. It allows us the opportunity to save for education for our two young children.
They and the other Solarthon families will save approximately 75 percent on their electricity bills from day one, money they can use for food, clothing and other necessities, and the systems will prevent almost 200 tons of carbon emissions over their expected 30-year lifespan. Including todays event, GRID Alternatives has installed 139 systems in San Luis Obispo County since 2011.
Partnerships with organizations like Habitat for Humanity are instrumental in building strong communities, said Steve Fernandez, Regional Director for GRID Alternatives Central Coast office, which hosted the event. At Solarthon, you really see folks of all different backgrounds coming together to pitch in.
It isnt just homeowners that benefit from the solar installations. Serena Bruce is one of thousands of job trainees who have received valuable work experience through GRID Alternatives program to-date. A PG&E Solar Intern for GRID Alternatives Central Coast, she has spent the past year learning the ins and outs of solar installation and leading other job trainees through the process. PG&E has been a significant supporter of GRID Alternatives mission to help people like Ms. Bruce break in to the growing solar industry, and Ms. Bruce will be leading a team of PG&E employee volunteers at the event, her last solar installation before the internship concludes. She will continue with GRID Alternatives as a full-time employee.
This is the kind of experience you cant get in the classroom, said Ms. Bruce, and its so rewarding to be out here teaching people skills and supporting the movement towards cleaner energy.
Many local community leaders were on site as well to celebrate the installation of these systems, including San Luis Obispo County District Supervisor Adam Hill.
Were so lucky to have them [GRID Alternatives and Habitat for Humanity] in the community, said Hill. It is a community thats committed to doing everything we can to move towards alternative forms of energy.
Such tangible impact to a regions environmental and economic health is not a trait unique to GRID Alternatives, but it is an organization that has proven highly effective in empowering individuals to fight wide-ranging issues such as foreclosure, unemployment, and pollution. Continued collaboration with Habitat for Humanity, coupled with the generous support of corporate sponsors and government agencies, promises even more positive developments in the future.
In addition to PG&E and Habitat for Humanity of San Luis Obispo County, sponsors of SLO Solarthon 2013 included SunPower Corp.; Wells Fargo; Yingli Solar; Schneider Electric; Enphase Energy; Jinko Solar; Suntech; REC Solar; and SnapNRack.