GRID Alternatives is a solar non-profit located in Fresno, CA that provides renewable energy and energy efficiency services to low-income communities. It focuses on installing solar panels to reduce electricity bills for low-income homeowners without increasing monthly costs. GRID Alternatives manages California's Single-family Affordable Solar Homes Program and has installed over 250 solar systems, reducing family electric bills by 75% and preventing over 12,500 tons of greenhouse gas emissions. It trains volunteers to install systems and provides hands-on experience.

1. Central Valley Fresno
3260 W. Lansing Way
Fresno, CA 93722
(559) 261-4743
www.gridalternatives.org
GRID Alternatives is a solar non-profit whose mission is to empower communities in need by providing
renewable energy and energy efficiency services, equipment, and training. Working collaboratively with commu-
nities and local organizations to develop renewable energy solutions that are environmentally, socially, and eco-
nomically sustainable; GRID Alternatives focuses its efforts on communities that have been disproportionately
impacted by high energy prices and environmental health burdens. Founded during the 2001 energy crisis by Erica
Mackie and Tim Sears, GRID Alternatives has offices in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Central Val-
ley. GRID Alternatives Central Valley Fresno is now celebrating its July 2009 Grand Opening.
GRID Alternatives is both a non-profit community agency and a California licensed electrical contractor.
This means they handle everything from client outreach and education to system planning, obtaining building per-
mits, completing installations, preparing and submitting rebate and utility paperwork, and providing an industry-
standard warranty for each solar system.
GRID Alternatives manages the Single-family Affordable Solar Homes (SASH) Program on behalf of the
California Public Utilities Commission. The goal of the program is to provide qualifying low-income homeowners
with access to photovoltaic systems to decrease electricity usage and bills without increasing monthly household
expenses. In addition to providing low-income homeowners with reduced electricity bills, the SASH Program will
also benefit the communities it serves by leveraging local green-job training and workforce development programs
to assist with installing solar systems.
Since piloting the SASH Program in 2004, GRID Alternatives has installed over 250 solar electric systems
with low-income families throughout Northern and Southern California. These systems are reducing each family’s
electric bills by approximately 75%, which will translate to a total of over $4.13 million in energy generated over
the systems’ projected life spans. They will also prevent roughly 12,508 tons of greenhouse gas emissions over the
next 30 years; the equivalent of planting 17,457 trees. GRID Alternatives has trained over 2,230 community vol-
unteers and job trainees on the theory and practice of solar electric installation and provided them with opportuni-
ties to gain hands-on experience with real-world solar installation projects.
Working with a network of partner agencies to design and install solar systems, GRID Alternatives vision
of sustainable development centers on community involvement. With no special skills or prior knowledge re-
quired, GRID staff trains teams of volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds on solar theory and installation.
Their low-income clients typically provide direct “sweat equity” by working as part of this volunteer installation
team. Additionally, GRID volunteers implement basic energy efficiency upgrades for all clients to reduce energy
demand at the source.
Volunteers with GRID Alternatives gain valuable skills and experience they can bring back to their homes,
businesses, and communities-to help build broad-based grassroots leadership and support for renewable energy.
GRID Alternatives has also installed energy efficiency upgrades for over 290 low-income seniors and people with
disabilities. These small changes provide these households, which primarily live on fixed incomes, with approxi-
mately $38,000/year in energy savings.
The GRID Alternatives Central Valley Fresno team is Tom Esqueda, Mike Fairbanks, Alicia Bohigian,
Laurie Patterson, Lauren Cobb, and Matt Wilkes. If you would like to volunteer or find out if you qualify for the
program, you can contact GRID Alternatives Central Valley Office at 559-261-4743 or
infofresno@gridalternatives.org Watch our video to learn more about our mission and impact.