GRID Alternatives

Background

In the 1970s, clean technology was considered "alternative," heralded mostly by environmentalists and research scientists. Clean technology, which includes solar power, wind power, biofuel and more, was in an early stage of development, was too expensive, did not have widespread political support, and very few large, established companies were embracing the sector. But now, throughout much of the world there is "the beginning of a revolution that is changing the places where we live and work, the products we manufacture and purchase, and the development plans of cities, regional governments, and nations around the globe." [1] Today, clean technology is being embraced as a way to solve environmental problems, a viable business venture, and a way to create workforce opportunities in the form of green collar jobs.

As society moves toward a renewable economy, however, we are seeing the development of a renewable divide where affluent communities have access to renewable energy technologies and lower income communities do not. Yet, energy crises affect our low-income families most gravely, and renewable energy can help mitigate this increasing problem.[2]

Solar energy, in particular, presents a viable alternative to fossil fuels that is both environmentally sound and socially empowering. In order for solar energy to be widely embraced, it must be available to people of all income levels, but renewable energy remains out of reach for many lower income households.[3]

To combat this problem and move the state towards a clean energy future, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) oversees four program components of the California Solar Initiative (CSI), one of which is the Single Family Low Income Incentive (SFLI) Program. The SFLI Program provides fully subsidized 1 kW solar power systems to very low income households, and highly subsidized systems to other low income households.

Organization Mission

GRID Alternatives' mission is to empower communities in need by providing renewable energy and energy efficiency services, equipment and training. Since 2001, GRID Alternatives has been working to bring the power of solar electricity and energy efficiency to low-income homeowners, and to provide community members with training and hands-on experience with renewable energy technologies. GRID believes making energy choices that are good for the environment can go hand-in-hand with improving the lives of those living in low-income communities.

GRID Alternatives works collaboratively with communities and local organizations to identify specific needs and to develop renewable energy solutions that are environmentally, socially and economically sustainable. Its vision of sustainable development centers on community involvement, and its focus and expertise lies in using renewable energy and energy efficiency to provide solutions to the challenges facing low-income individuals and families. GRID has offices in the San Francisco Bay Area, Greater Los Angeles, and San Diego to serve communities throughout California.

Full Circle Fund Role

In November 2008, GRID Alternatives was chosen as the single independent Program Manager to administer the $108 million SFLI Program on the CPUC's behalf. Poised at a major organizational inflection point, GRID Alternatives realized they needed significant assistance during this rollout if they were also going to maintain their core activity of implementing solar installations that will leverage the incentives made available through this program.

The Full Circle Fund/GRID Alternatives partnership is based on helping GRID build its internal capabilities and develop the organization to handle the ramp-up in activity and responsibilities. To this end, Full Circle Fund and GRID identified a number of specific impact areas that are critical for GRID to be successful in making the transition from small start-up to statewide organization. These include:

• Provide general guidance on strategic development and problem solving
• Ensure financial sustainability by examining funding options targeting individual and corporate donors
• Assist with improvement of accounting/finance systems
• Help infuse useful technology into the organization to ensure a successful ramp-up, rollout and a sustained future.

Sources:

¹ "The Clean Tech Revolution" p. 3 (PDF), Ron Pernick and Clint Wilder (2007).

² Brainerd Area Environmental Learning Network (BAELN).

³ Rural Renewable Energy Alliance.

NAME: GRID Alternatives
LOCATION: Oakland
WEB: gridalternatives.org
GRANT TERM: 2008-2009
TEAM LEADS: Marc Payne