GRID Alternatives and NeighborWorks America Launch National LowIncome Solar Partnership
100 families in four states will receive no-cost rooftop solar installations
Oakland CA – September 15, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — GRID Alternatives, America’s largest non-profit solar installer, today announced a partnership with NeighborWorks America, a national nonprofit that creates opportunities for people to live in affordable homes, improve their lives, and strengthen their communities, to extend the benefits of solar energy to lowincome families in New Jersey, New York, Colorado, and California. The partnership was announced at a three-home solar installation in Camden, N.J., one of the nation’s most economically disadvantaged communities.
Sixty-eight homes and six multifamily buildings (50 farmworker homes) for a total of 118 families will receive no-cost rooftop solar systems through the partnership.
NeighborWorks America will provide $170,000 in grants to nine local non-profit grantees and leverage an additional $170,000 in local matching funds, while GRID will provide technical assistance, solar installations, solar job training, and additional funding for each project.
“NeighborWorks America is increasing its support of low-income communities by giving them access to greener, more efficient power,” said Paul Weech, NeighborWorks America chief executive officer. “We are helping to lower the utility costs for individuals and families around the country, and we are pleased to join in this partnership with GRID Alternatives. Together we are increasing the access of low-income families to solar power.
Each rooftop project installed through the partnership will also provide hands-on solar training for local residents including students from area community colleges, local workforce development programs, and GRID’s SolarCorps fellowship program, which was recently awarded a three-year $1.5 million grant from the federal AmeriCorps program as part of the Obama Administration’s low-income solar initiative.
This national partnership builds on over five years of community-based collaboration between GRID Alternatives and local NeighborWorks organizations in California and New Jersey, which has produced nearly 750 solar projects for low-income families. By partnering nationally with NeighborWorks America, GRID Alternatives can now expand these successful partnerships to new regions throughout the country.
“National partnerships like this show the transformative effect solar power has in our underserved communities,” said Tim Sears, GRID Alternatives COO and co-founder.
“Every solar system we install will save low-income families thousands of dollars in utility bills, prevent harmful air pollution, and open the door to a stable and well-paying career.”
ABOUT GRID ALTERNATIVES
GRID Alternatives is America’s largest non-profit solar installer bringing clean energy technology and job training to low-income families and underserved communities through a network of community partners, volunteers, and philanthropic supporters.
GRID has installed 5,600 rooftop solar systems with a combined installed capacity of 19.4MW, saving $142 million in lifetime electricity costs, preventing 444,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, and providing over 21,000 people with solar training. GRID has ten regional offices and affiliates serving California, Colorado, the Mid-Atlantic and New York tri-state regions, and Tribal communities nationwide. For more information, visit www.gridalternatives.org
About NeighborWorks America
For more than 35 years, NeighborWorks America has created opportunities for people to improve their lives and strengthen their communities by providing access to homeownership and to safe and affordable rental housing. In the last five years, NeighborWorks organizations have generated more than $24.5 billion in reinvestment in these communities. NeighborWorks America is the nation’s leading trainer of community development and affordable housing professionals. For more information, visit www.neighborworks.org/
Media Contacts
GRID Alternatives: Julian Foley, 510-731-1188,
NeighborWorks America: Lindsay Moore, 202-760-4059,
