Within the June version of the Sol SOURCE we launched our Infrastructure + Affect Highlight Sequence, a possibility for our employees, companions, and clients to get to know the community-based organizations we work with, different notable organizations which are doing their half to make sure a simply and sustainable future, and to be taught extra about Sol’s position in facilitating the journey in direction of a extra simply power future.
This quarter we spotlight our partnership with GRID Options Mid-Atlantic (GRID), a non-profit based mostly in Washington D.C. that gives no-cost photo voltaic installations and photo voltaic job coaching. GRID Options is a group associate in our partnership with Microsoft to mix a 500-megawatt (MW) framework energy buy settlement (PPA), one of many nation’s largest, with a groundbreaking technique to put money into under-resourced communities and communities disproportionately impacted by local weather change.
GRID’s mission is constructing community-powered options to advance financial and environmental justice by renewable power. By way of their Photo voltaic Works DC[1] and Photo voltaic Futures packages, GRID supplies hands-on, group-based set up coaching and tender expertise growth for DC residents. This workforce growth program is essential in making the photo voltaic trade extra inclusive for individuals of coloration. Moreover, GRID works extensively with low- to moderate-income residents in DC—together with Wards 7 and eight, traditionally marginalized areas in DC the place entry to inexpensive, wholesome meals is proscribed or non-existent. In these meals deserts, areas the place it’s troublesome to purchase inexpensive or good high quality contemporary meals, assets are scarce and environmental points are extra extreme. GRID helps democratize renewable photo voltaic power to make inexpensive electrical energy, cleaner air, and sustainable profession growth out there to everybody.
GRID is led by Govt Director Elijah Perry, a captivating and passionate DC resident whose household has referred to as the District house for many years. Elijah believes firmly within the precept that even marginal modifications have influence on intractable issues. This adage can also be changing into clearer to me as I work in group influence and thru collaborations with individuals like Elijah—we don’t want to attend to have the ability to transfer mountains to resolve issues. Our work may begin small and result in a ripple impact in the neighborhood. GRID’s work within the Washington DC group, led by Elijah, is a pebble breaking the floor of the pond.
There isn’t any higher instance of the immense influence of GRID’s work in the neighborhood than Jahlil Wormley, a graduate of the Photo voltaic Works DC program. When Jahlil graduated highschool, he was not sure about what profession choices he may pursue. Within the few months following his commencement, he skilled homelessness and gun violence. The violent experiences threatened his life and his means to stroll once more. Two years later, Jahlil is just not solely strolling properly, however he additionally lives in his personal house and earns $20 per hour in his first full-time job at Tesla Power in Prince George’s County, MD. He credit GRID’s Photo voltaic Works DC program for serving to him get his life on observe. Not solely did Jahlil attend the hands-on photo voltaic set up coaching, however he additionally used the profession growth and wrap-around assist companies supplied by this system. Photo voltaic Works DC trains individuals on how you can set up photo voltaic panels and supplies assist by resume constructing, monetary literacy, mock interviews, and addressing wants associated to psychological well being, starvation and different points that may have an effect on private development.[2]
For the reason that fall of 2021, over 40 individuals have graduated from GRID’s workforce coaching packages. Out of those graduates, 19 of them have obtained affords for photo voltaic jobs within the Washington DC metropolitan space. One native associate employed 4 trainees from the category, essentially the most hires made by a single group. This employment alternative features a journey overseas to work on photo voltaic set up initiatives in Kenya. In response to Elijah, the intangible advantages from a possibility to journey internationally are immeasurable particularly for individuals who by no means left the locality the place they had been born and raised. Not solely does GRID assist its trainees to safe employment with its companions, GRID additionally ceaselessly hires trainees as instructors for brand new courses. To proceed enjoying a job in addressing the gender disparities that exist within the photo voltaic trade, GRID has employed three girls from the latest class as full-time photo voltaic instructors.
A monetary contribution from Sol Methods (Sol) enhanced GRID’s means to offer monetary and pc literacy parts to the installer coaching curriculum, profession assist actions, construct group partnerships, and interact extra employers to assist larger inclusion within the photo voltaic sector.
Sol’s dedication to under-resourced communities is a precedence shared by the management and employees. On April 13, 2022, employees at Sol participated in an Employer Day hosted by GRID for Photo voltaic Works DC trainees. Throughout that session, Sol employees shared their numerous pathways to a profession within the photo voltaic trade, supplied instruction on job search, interviewing and tender expertise wanted to achieve the office, recommendations on the advantages of mentorship, and so on. The advantages of studying from workers in a company within the trade the place an individual hopes to achieve a foothold are innumerable particularly within the face of limitations to development. On April 23, 2022, GRID Options joined Sol Methods to rejoice Earth Day at a Starbucks Neighborhood Retailer occasion in Landover Hills, Maryland. Partnering with organizations like GRID reveals how significant engagement with communities to sort out native challenges and construct a sustainable pathway for future generations will be achieved when the mission is shared by management, employees, and the group.
[1] Photo voltaic Works DC is a part of the Division of Power and Setting’s Photo voltaic for All program, which seeks to offer the advantages of photo voltaic electrical energy to 100,000 low-income households and cut back their power payments
by 50% by 2032.
[2] To learn extra about Jahlil Wormley’s story, go to GRID’s web site at: For Jahlil, Photo voltaic Works DC Supplied Extra Than Simply Photo voltaic Coaching | GRID Options
