Our Goals - 100 new green-collar jobs - 50 solar installations for low-income homeowners by 2010 - 5 megawatts of solar electric power installed in Richmond by 2010

test Angela Greene, Project Manager, assesses the completed system

What We Do

Solar Richmond serves the Richmond community through green-collar job training and opens doors to employment within the solar industry. We are the glue that brings together resources in order to meet our end-goal of 5 megawatts of installed solar in Richmond by 2010. We work closely with diverse partners in city government, the non-profit world and local businesses as well. This is the facilitating role we have been playing and will continue to play. Now we are looking to bring more resources to the table with our new 10-week paid internship program.

Programs





1) Solar installation training:

- Coordinate a 1-week training with our partners RichmondBUILD, Solar Living Institute and Grid Alternatives





2) Solar for low-income homeowners:

- Facilitate low-cost solar installations for qualified low-income homeowners with partner Grid Alternatives

- Provide free labor, requiring no cash out of pocket

- Homeowners receive deferred low-interest loans through the City of Richmond Redevelopment Agency, requiring payment only upon sale of the home

- Homeowners also save substantially on their electric bill each year.



3) Advocacy/policy:

- Work with city officials to help create policy that bring the advantages of the green economy to Richmond.

- We secured no permitting costs for all Richmond residents - We also secured favorable loans specifically for low-income homeowners

- We got City Council to pass resolution to install 200kw of solar on City Hall



4) Solar promotion:

- Participate in Richmond's annual Earth Day

- Richmond Solar Homes Tours, part of the annual ASES national tour



5) Internship program:

- Provide immediate, paid opportunities for graduates to receive on-the-job training

- 10-week paid internships with local solar companies and bridge training to permanent employment

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