Solar electricity for 10 low-income families, USA

Solar Energy for Families

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Summary

Our technical staff trains and leads teams of volunteers and job trainees to install solar electric systems for low income families, helping them save money and energy while educating the community. project reportread updates from the field

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Received $23,907 from 421 donations from people like:

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More Information About this Project

Project Needs and Beneficiaries

The benefits of solar power are rarely enjoyed by the low-income households who need the savings the most. GRID Alternatives brings together a grassroots network of volunteers, as well as rebates, grants and low/no interest loans, to install solar for low-income families throughout California. “These projects bring together environmental and economic sustainability on a local level while helping folks gain hands-on experience with solar,” says GRID Alternatives co-founder Erica Mackie.

Activities

Installing solar power for low-income families dramatically reduces their electricity bills. Mardina, a low-income senior, says “I knew about solar power but couldn’t afford it. Now on sunny days I can see my electric meter spinning backwards."

Funding Information

Total Funding Received to Date: $23,907
Remaining Goal to be Funded: $26,693
Total Funding Goal: $50,600

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).

Resources

Why this Project is Important

Potential Long Term Impact

The project will install solar electric systems for 10 homeowners and their families, allowing them to increase their financial independence and long term energy savings.

Project Message

“The net savings from my utility bill makes it so I can pay another bill.”
- Rachel, program beneficiary

Who is Running This Project

Contact

Tracie Troxler
Development Assistant
955 Market Street, Suite 801
San Francisco, CA 94103
United States
415-839-8437
Email:

Project Sponsor

GlobalGiving

Organization

GRID Alternatives
3833 Manila Ave.
Oakland, CA 95609
United States
(510) 652-4730
http://www.gridalternatives.org

Learn more about GRID Alternatives and the project team.

Where this Project is Located

Country

This project is located in United StatesUnited States and can also be found under Climate Change (GG Green)Climate Change (GG Green).

For more information about United States, read the Human Development Report on United States or the Wikipedia entry for United States.

When this Project was Updated

Last Updated

This project was last updated on January 31, 2010.

Date Added to GlobalGiving

This project was added to the GlobalGiving project catalog on December 1, 2005

Latest Update from the Field

GRID Alternatives is GROWING!

By Tracie Troxler - Event and Development Coordinator, January 31, 2010 04:46 PM

GRID Alternatives is growing rapidly!

To date we have installed 340 solar electric systems, trained 3,800 community volunteers, and helped reduce the electric bills of California's low-income families by up to 75%. Our recent regional office addition in the Central Valley is up to speed and a fully operational office. This is the fourth regional office in addition our Headquarters office and our offices in the San Francisco Bay Area, Greater Los Angeles, and San Diego.

In 2004, GRID Alternatives launched it's Solar Affordable Housing Program and installed two solar electric systems. In 2010 we are on track to install 300 solar electric systems in a single year. We are thrilled about our growth and ability to increase access to the economic and environmental benefits of solar energy for California's low income families.

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