Chispa and GRID Alternatives are working together to bring out the “green” in Greenfield.

Over the last two weeks, volunteers and job trainees from Chispa, Job Train Works, and former students from YouthBuild of Greenfield assisted in the installation of solar systems in seven homes along Harvest Way in Greenfield.

Chispa and GRID Alternatives are both nonprofit organizations, teamed up to bring solar equipment, training and resources to low-income families. The group collaborated to assist seven Greenfield families with the installation of roof-tied solar photovoltaic systems on their homes.

These solar electric systems will lower operating costs in each household and help offset thousands of tons of greenhouse gases. Since 2001, GRID Alternatives’ mission has been to empower communities in need, by providing renewable energy and energy efficiency services, equipment and training.

For the seven Greenfield families who took part in this project, the savings on their electrical bill should be proof enough.

The group installed either a 1.8-Kilowatt or a 2-Kilowatt system on each of the houses. The size of the system was factored on the size and use of electricity for each family.

For the 1.8 K system, the house has 10 solar panels mounted on the roof, for the 2K systems, they have 12.



For the complete article see the 02-24-2010 issue.

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