GRID Alternatives comes to SMA America’s backyard for a solar install

GRID Alternatives helps bring the power of solar to low-income families who need it the most—those who are often the least likely to afford it. When we heard they partnered with a family in Roseville, California, just down the road from SMA America’s headquarters, we jumped at the chance to help our neighbors.

The 3.78 kW rooftop system uses 12 Sunpower 315W modules to make power for the Solomos family’s home. Our staff donated their time to perform the install from start to finish, complete with the donation of a Sunny

SMA’s Sanket Shah and Mike Mahon installing the inverter’s DC Disconnect.

Boy 3800-US inverter to finish the job.

“This wouldn’t work if it weren’t for our equipment partners, especially when they come to install their equipment because no one knows it better,” said Becca Russell, development coordinator for GRID Alternatives – North Valley.

The system is estimated to save the family $30,000 in energy costs over its expected lifetime, while maintaining a greenhouse gas offset equal to planting 2,300 trees!

The rooftop team, Shah, Guillermo Echeverria, Mahon and Katherine Belda celebrate finishing the module install.

When homeowner Karen Solomos was asked about going solar through GRID Alternatives, she said, “It’s really terrific because it gives people with low incomes the chance the really save on their electric bills and use alternative energy.”

Our team was just as excited to spread the joy of renewable energy to a well-deserving family. This is our second time working with the GRID Alternatives team and we’re looking forward to our next chance to partner and bring the power of solar!