Project powers solar energyPG&E, nonprofit help Habitat for Humanity make it accessible

For the first time -- thanks to funding from Pacific Gas & Electric Co. and the help of a Bay Area nonprofit group -- solar panels were installed last weekend on two Habitat for Humanity houses in Fresno.

By the end of this year, the hope is to install solar panels on the remaining 10 houses in a Habitat subdivision near Fruit and Jensen avenues, said Tony Miranda, executive director for Fresno County Habitat for Humanity.

"They made us an offer we couldn't refuse," Miranda said, describing PG&E's role of providing $1.2 million to install solar electric systems on Habitat-built homes throughout its Northern and Central California service territory.

PG&E was "the muscle behind" the Fresno projects, said Zach Franklin, development director for Oakland-based GRID Alternatives, which shepherded the installations through the permit and building process and provided volunteers.

At this point, PG&E funding has paid for 40 installations, and it's expected there will be enough money for an additional 30.

"We're trying to make renewable energy accessible to everybody," said Lisa Shell, solar habitat program manager with PG&E. "We're trying to cast as wide a net as possible."

She said each installation costs about $15,000 and is expected to save each Habitat family about "$500 a year in clean energy to offset their electric bill."

Since 2001, GRID Alternatives has been working to bring solar electricity and energy efficiency to low-income homeowners and provide community members training and hands-on experience with renewable technologies.

"We look at how to get cost-saving technology into the hands of those who need the savings the most," Franklin said.

GRID Alternatives was founded by two engineering professionals, Erica Mackie and Tim Sears, who had been installing renewable energy systems for the private sector. The organization has trained about 1,400 volunteers.

"We're the volunteers and the contractors," Franklin said. "We started with two solar installations in 2004, then 14 the next year, 37 the year after that, then 94, and this year expect to install over 100."

Franklin said the organization opened a Los Angeles office last fall.

"We are looking into setting up a Central Valley office, probably in the greater Fresno area," he said. "We're trying to move to a statewide focus. And we're looking at geographic proximity. When you look at places where there is a high concentration of low-income homeowners, Los Angeles would be highest. Next would be the Central Valley."

GRID works with communities and local organizations to improve energy efficiency while helping low-income individuals and families. It has installed some 150 solar electricity systems.

Habitat's Miranda said the Fresno subdivision will be finished in 2008 after 10 homes are added. Started 11 years ago, it will have 89 houses.

Last weekend's installation was at the homes of Raul and Armida Carrillo and Juan and Rosa Cazares, who moved into their houses late last year and learned just before the Christmas holiday that they would be getting solar power.
The reporter can be reached at dpollock@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6364.