Local chapters of two non-profits came together on Saturday, August 20, 2016 to install a solar electric system for Navy veteran Joseph Faulk. GRID Alternatives staff worked alongside The Mission Continues volunteers on the one day installation. The brand new solar panels will save Mr. Faulk an estimated $1,659 per year.
Mr. Faulk will be joining over 750 other San Diego homeowners who have already had no- to low-cost solar installed as part of GRID Alternatives’ mission to bring solar power to families and individuals who couldn’t otherwise afford it. “I don’t know a lot about solar but I know it’s a good thing,” says Mr. Faulk. “My mind is certainly open, especially as my energy bills are currently averaging over $200 a month.”
The build is part of GRID Alternatives’ national ‘Troops to Solar’ initiative, a program supported by the Wells Fargo Foundation that will provide hands-on training and job connections to over 1,000 U.S. military veterans and active service members across the country.
The installation is also part of the San Diego chapter of The Mission Continues Service Platoon Program. The group has been particularly active within the ‘Promise Zone’, one of nine areas selected nationwide by the White House as part of an initiative to improve quality of life in impoverished communities.
“We have operations in more than 40 cities across the U.S. and the Promise Zone in San Diego fits perfectly with our model of a sustained presence in the community with veterans working to have deep impact on tough issues over a period of years,” explains Tristan Williamson, The Mission Continues City Impact Manager.
This is the first time that GRID Alternatives and The Mission Continues have joined forces in San Diego on this scale to provide solar power to a veteran homeowner. “We work with dozens of veteran volunteers and job trainees every year as well as installing solar for many veteran clients,” says GRID Alternatives San Diego Executive Director, Paul Cleary. “We’re honored to be partnering with The Mission Continues on this very special project.”
Andrew Strong, Chief of Staff to the CAO of the County of San Diego kicked off the installation with the delivery of a proclamation, followed by remarks from GRID Alternatives San Diego Executive Director, Paul Cleary and The Mission Continues Platoon Leader, Mikhail Okshin.