by Serena Levis in collaboration with Daniell Mueller
Grid, styled GRID, was founded during the 2001 California energy crisis by Erica Mackie, P.E., and Tim Sears, P.E., two engineering professionals. According to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency program profile, it “piloted its flagship Solar Affordable Housing Program in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2004, and subsequently expanded to other parts of the state.” In 2008, the company was selected by the California Public Utilities Commission to serve as the statewide program manager for its Single-Family Affordable Solar Homes (SASH) incentive program, prompting an expansion across the state. In 2013, GRID expanded its work outside of California for the first time when it expanded to Colorado. GRID Mid-Atlantic, serving Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, was launched in September 2014. In 2017, GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic was selected to administer Solar Works DC, a program of the Washington, D.C. Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) and Department of Employment Services (DOES).
San Diego is building a future where clean energy and climate solutions are accessible to all—especially communities historically left out of the green economy. As a regional office of the nation’s largest nonprofit solar installer, GRID San Diego provides no-cost solar installations, job training, and home upgrades to help families save money, improve health, and build resilience. Founded in the wake of California’s 2001 energy crisis, GRID Alternatives was created on the belief that clean, renewable power from the sun should benefit everyone. Since expanding to San Diego in 2008, GRID has served thousands of local households and launched hundreds of solar careers — supporting environmental justice and economic opportunity across the region. One standout initiative is the Holistic Healthy Homes program, addressing not only energy needs but also health and safety concerns in the home.
