GRID Alternatives

GRID Alternatives vision is a transition to clean, renewable energy that includes everyone. Our mission is to make renewable energy technology and job training available to underserved communities.

• About Us
  Overview of National SolarCorps Program
  
  The National SolarCorps Fellowship Program is the pinnacle workforce development program within GRID Alternatives’, which provides hands-on job training and career development support to job seekers looking to access careers in the rapidly growing solar industry.
  
  The SolarCorps Fellowship is an opportunity for highly motivated and enthusiastic people to join GRID Alternatives for a one-year, paid term of service to their community. Fellows gain valuable experience in the solar and non-profit industries to help launch their renewable energy careers, while making significant contributions to GRID and the low-income communities we serve. The Corporation for National and Community Service has provided partial funding for the program through AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps VISTA since 2006.
  
  To date, more than 200 people have served as fellows in GRID’s SolarCorps program. Fellows come from a wide range of backgrounds and represent the diversity GRID is working to cultivate within the solar industry. Positions are available in areas such as construction, client outreach, and volunteer engagement, and include a stipend and healthcare.
  
  The Fellowship experience also includes:
  Self-paced career development activities, with funds provided for additional professional development support.
  Coaching and mentorship opportunities.
  Annual orientation for new Fellows.
  An annual two-day training event that focuses on building interpersonal skills, industry topics such as solar policy and workforce diversity, and job readiness to support fellows in preparing to move into the workforce after their term of service.
  Graduation events to celebrate the contributions of Fellows.
  
  Program Outcomes for 2015-16 Cohort and 2016-17 Cohort
  The 2015-16 cohort of fellows recently wrapped up their year of service and are moving on to what lies ahead. Outcomes from last year’s SolarCorps program include:
  90% success rate to date for job placement of fellows.
  
  Fellows helped to install solar power that will benefit more that 1,600 low-income families. These families will save an average of $35,000 over the lifetime of the solar panels.
  
  As a result of the solar systems installed by Fellows, carbon emissions will be reduced an average of 84 tons per household and is the equivalent of planting about 1,920 trees or taking an average of 16 cars off the roads per household.
  
  In August 2016, GRID hired 43 new SolarCorps Fellows to serve in our offices across the country, with partial funding support from AmeriCorps. An additional 20-25 fellows are projected to be hired throughout 2016-17. Of the new cohort hired in August, 33% are women and 58% are people of color.
  
  Program Details
  GRID Alternatives use a variety of funding sources to support SolarCorps. These include an AmeriCoprs National Direct Grant, AmeriCorps VISTA grant, and a number of private grants. Fellows receive stipends that are similar to compensation for entry level installer and nonprofit positions (an average of $12-$15 per hour). Health insurance and vacation are also offered.
  
  Cohorts begin in early February (applications accepted in the winter) and late August (applications accepted during the summer).
  
  
  Fellow Profiles
  SolarCorps Fellows are very diverse and come from a variety of backgrounds.
  On average, 40% of Fellows are women and 60% are people of color.
  Ages range from 18-63.
  
  Before joining SolarCorps Fellows have worked in construction, the military, for-profit solar companies, attended school, and received training from partner job training organizations.
  Education backgrounds range from no formal education to advanced degrees (masters and PhDs).
  The vast majority of Fellows volunteered with GRID before becoming Fellows.
  Fellows make up approximately 20% of GRID’s full time staff.
• Our Impact
  GRID Alternatives was founded during the 2001 California energy crisis by Erica Mackie, P.E., and Tim Sears, P.E., two engineering professionals who were implementing large-scale renewable energy and energy efficiency projects for the private sector. The vision that drove them was simple: free, clean electricity from the sun should be available to everyone. Through GRID Alternatives, they developed a model to make solar PV technology practical and accessible for low-income communities that need the savings and jobs the most, yet have the least access. By taking a broader approach to solar as not just an environmental good but also a real-world solution to a real-world economic problem in these communities, GRID Alternatives is helping to set the stage for large-scale solar adoption nationwide.
  
  In 2008, GRID Alternatives was selected by the California Public Utilities Commission to serve as the statewide program manager for its $162 million Single-family Affordable Solar Homes (SASH) incentive program, the country's first dedicated solar rebate for low-income families. Thousands of California homeowners have gone solar through GRID Alternatives under this groundbreaking initiative in partnership with Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas & Electric, and we have integrated workforce development into every project.
  
  In 2012, GRID Alternatives launched a national expansion with support from Wells Fargo. We began serving Colorado in 2012, the New York Tri-state area in 2013, and the Mid-Atlantic regional in 2014. GRID Alternatives started an international program in Nicaragua in 2014 through the acquisition of Power to the People, as well as a program to serve Tribal communities across the nation.