Solar power for San Mateo County Residents
GRID Alternatives installs solar electric systems

Just in time for Earth Day on April 22, earlier this month, GRID Alternatives installed the final two of 10 solar electric systems for low-income homeowners in San Mateo County.  These 10 solar electric systems – supported in part by a $10,000 grant from Silicon Valley Community Foundation – will generate more than $170,000 worth of power for low-income families during the systems’ projected 30-year life span. The solar electric systems will offset more than 650 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of planting 1,800 trees.

Established in 2001, GRID Alternatives' mission is to empower communities in need to support meeting basic requirements of health, education and economic opportunity by providing renewable energy and energy efficiency services, equipment and training. 

“Too often, grid-connected solar power has been seen as a luxury only affordable to higher-income homeowners,” said Tim Sears, program director and co-founder of GRID Alternatives.  “Those low-income homeowners hardest hit by rising electrical costs have not been able to afford the up-front installation costs of solar power, and typically have not had the time, resources and information required to evaluate the benefits of solar power.”

The community foundation provided GRID Alternatives with seed funding in 2003 and additional financial support from Silicon Valley Community Foundation helped them work with several local nonprofits and public agencies to identify 10 low-income homeowners throughout San Mateo County. Teams of community volunteers were then trained to install solar electric systems, at no cost to the homeowners.  Additionally, the homeowners themselves contributed sweat equity as part of the installation team if their physical condition allowed.

The solar power is affordable because GRID Alternatives combines free installation with access to appropriate financing and assistance filing to obtain the Emerging Renewables Program Rebate from the California Energy Commission. This combination enables GRID Alternatives to replace an eligible homeowner’s unpredictable monthly electric bill with a fixed loan payment, resulting in an immediate net savings of up to 50%.

 “These 10 eligible homeowners earn less than 80% of the area median income and are primarily families with children or seniors living on fixed incomes,” said the community foundation's vice president of grantmaking Ellen Clear. “It’s wonderful to fund a project that helps the environment and supports families in need.” 

Seven of the 10 GRID Alternatives’ San Mateo County installations were at a Habitat for Humanity housing development in Brisbane, California. A total of 34 San Mateo County individuals benefited from the solar installations, and an additional 90 individuals received training and volunteer experience installing the solar electric systems.