Within the June version of the Sol SOURCE we launched our Infrastructure + Affect Highlight Collection, a possibility for our employees, companions, and prospects to get to know the community-based organizations we work with, different notable organizations which might be doing their half to make sure a simply and sustainable future, and to study extra about Sol’s function in facilitating the journey in direction of a extra simply vitality future.
This quarter we spotlight our partnership with GRID Options Mid-Atlantic (GRID), a non-profit primarily based in Washington D.C. that gives no-cost photo voltaic installations and photo voltaic job coaching. GRID Options is a group companion 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 spend money on 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 vitality. By way of their Photo voltaic Works DC[1] and Photo voltaic Futures packages, GRID supplies hands-on, group-based set up coaching and smooth abilities growth for DC residents. This workforce growth program is essential in making the photo voltaic trade extra inclusive for individuals of shade. 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 reasonably priced, wholesome meals is proscribed or non-existent. In these meals deserts, areas the place it’s tough to purchase reasonably priced or good high quality contemporary meals, sources are scarce and environmental points are extra extreme. GRID helps democratize renewable photo voltaic vitality to make reasonably priced electrical energy, cleaner air, and sustainable profession growth accessible to everybody.
GRID is led by Government 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 adjustments have affect on intractable issues. This adage can be turning into clearer to me as I work in group affect 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 might 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 a higher instance of the immense affect 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 might 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 isn’t solely strolling nicely, however he additionally lives in his personal house and earns $20 per hour in his first full-time job at Tesla Vitality 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 providers offered by this system. Photo voltaic Works DC trains individuals on how one 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 gives for photo voltaic jobs within the Washington DC metropolitan space. One native companion 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 tasks in Kenya. Based on 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 lessons. To proceed taking part in a task in addressing the gender disparities that exist within the photo voltaic trade, GRID has employed three ladies from the current class as full-time photo voltaic instructors.
A monetary contribution from Sol Programs (Sol) enhanced GRID’s means to supply monetary and pc literacy elements to the installer coaching curriculum, profession assist actions, construct group partnerships, and have interaction 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 varied pathways to a profession within the photo voltaic trade, provided instruction on job search, interviewing and smooth abilities wanted to achieve the office, tips about the advantages of mentorship, and many others. The advantages of studying from workers in a corporation 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 Programs to have a good time Earth Day at a Starbucks Group Retailer occasion in Landover Hills, Maryland. Partnering with organizations like GRID exhibits how significant engagement with communities to deal with native challenges and construct a sustainable pathway for future generations could be completed when the mission is shared by management, employees, and the group.
[1] Photo voltaic Works DC is a part of the Division of Vitality and Atmosphere’s Photo voltaic for All program, which seeks to supply the advantages of photo voltaic electrical energy to 100,000 low-income households and scale back their vitality 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 Offered Extra Than Simply Photo voltaic Coaching | GRID Options
