Tesla donates 569 kW of solar panels to 150 low-income households

Last week, GRID Alternatives- a US-based non-profit solar installer, announced Tesla’s donation of 569 kW solar PVs along with 15,000 hours of hands-on job training for people interested in the solar industry.

Erica Mackie, CEO and Co-Founder of GRID Alternatives underlined the benefits that solar can bring to disadvantaged communities.

She said: “It reduces pollution, helps financially strapped families live more affordably in their homes, and provides career opportunities for people who need good jobs”.

She added: “Achieving a transition to clean energy takes all of us, and we’re grateful for Tesla’s contribution to this work”.

The announcement took place at the installation of a 2.6 kW array on a home in Paramount, California.

Trainees from Homeboy Industries, a non-profit that provides training and support to formerly gang-involved and previously incarcerated men and women, participated in the installation.

The donation will unlock 15,000 hours of hands-on training through GRID’s community participation training- an initiative that offers solar installation knowledge from scratch.

The programme comprises two certificates- the Installation Basics Training (IBT) and the Team Leader Training (TLT) certificate for more experienced participants.  

The 569Kw donation will add on GRID’s efforts to supply free solar equipment to low-income households with significant donations already received by energy companies like Enphase, SunPower, Jinko Solar, IronRidge, and Schneider Electric.

The partnership also includes GRID Alternatives working with Tesla to connect participants in GRID’s installation training programs to job openings at the company.

Learn more about GRID Atlernatives training programme here.