Harnessing sunshine Harnessing sunshine (November 19, 2004)

10 Pleasanton families needed for solar energy program
by Dolores Fox Ciardelli

Wanted: 10 families who would like to save on energy costs and be kind to the environment.

In April the city OK'd $40,000 for Grid Alternatives to put solar panels on Pleasanton homes. This is enough to provide the program for 10 families, said Erica Mackie, co-founder of Grid Alternatives.

"We're sort of like a solar Habitat for Humanity," she said. "We train volunteers, and those volunteers install solar electrical systems free of charge for low to moderate income families."

Mackie said she has spoken to churches and synagogues in the area to identify interested families but still has spots available.

"We do everything," said Mackie. "We walk them through the process."

The process includes getting a loan to pay for the solar panels and buying the panels. The loan payment is based on what the homeowner will save on the PG&E bill, so it is affordable. Grid Alternatives handles the loan, the payment schedule and the transition to using solar panels.

The panels are installed by volunteers, who are trained by Grid Alternatives, and the clients can help out if they like.

"Then we flip a switch and they're good to go," Mackie said. "It takes at least a month to get everything but the installation takes place in a single weekend."

To qualify for the program, a household cannot make more than 80 percent of the area median income. For a family of four, this is less than $66,000, said Mackie.

The first step for an interested person would be to call Grid Alternatives at (510) 541-4513. They will have to provide information about their income to see if they qualify, and also will have to give the orientation of their roof to see if solar panels could be positioned on it properly.

Mackie is also looking for volunteers. "They don't need any experience," she explained. "We teach a two-evening class, then they learn right on the site. Even if they don't know what a flat-head screwdriver is, we teach them."

Mackie lauded City Councilman-elect Matt Sullivan, who also founded and is head of the Pleasanton Energy Committee, for his efforts. "Matt Sullivan is a big proponent of our organization," she said, "and a big proponent of solar energy."

"The unique thing about the program is it focuses on bringing affordable housing to people through a different means," said Scott Erickson, Housing Specialist for the city of Pleasanton. "We're helping them in terms of identifying people."

Housing activist Jack Dove was also planning to accompany Grid Alternatives representatives to look at mobile homes that might qualify. Dove noted that although newer mobile homes are well insulated, those who live in older homes often have high energy bills.

The $40,000 was part of the $341,000 Community Development Block Grants given last spring. Funds for the grants are given each year through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

"It's a pilot program for us," said Erickson. "We're hoping it will work out well."

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