High-Efficiency Solar Panels for Low-Income Houses (Nice)
March 12th, 2012 by Zachary Shahan
SunPower, a leading manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels, and solar systems based in Silicon Valley, and GRID Alternatives, a non-profit solar installer in the Bay Area, have teamed up to put SunPower’s high-efficiency solar panel rooftop system on low-income homes in San Francisco. “Under terms of the supplier agreement, SunPower will provide GRID Alternatives with its high efficiency solar panels through a combination of donations and fair market value sales,” a recent news release stated.
However, this isn’t the first time SunPower and GRID Alternatives have teamed up. They’ve got a (in the solar industry) long relationship in this arena. “SunPower has worked with GRID Alternatives for the past six years to help hundreds of families in need, providing more than 1,000 employee volunteer hours, philanthropic gifts, equipment donations and sales. This partnership is expected to generate a combined $10 million in electricity savings for these families over the life of the systems.” That’s impressive.
“Partnering with GRID Alternatives aligns perfectly with SunPower’s commitment to building clean-powered communities around the world, and in this case, right here in our backyard.” said Tom Werner, SunPower president and CEO. “By providing GRID with the highest efficiency, highest-reliability solar panels commercially available today, SunPower is helping families in need to reduce their electricity costs over the life of each system, while our employees support local volunteerism.”
“We’re often trying to make solar work on modest homes with small roofs,” said GRID Alternatives Program Director and Co-Founder Tim Sears. “SunPower’s high efficiency panels can make the difference for those families being able to go solar.”
GRID Alternatives
GRID Alternatives has power with other solar panel providers, as well, over the years. “Since 2004, GRID Alternatives has installed over 1700 solar electric systems and provided hands-on solar installation training over 8000 community members statewide. These systems represent over 4.7 MW of generating capacity, which translates to over $44 million in energy cost savings over the systems’ projected life spans, while preventing 148,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions.” There are many non-profits out there that are worthy of support, but this one definitely deserves a spot at the top.
In addition to the work above, GRID Alternatives manages the Single-family Affordable Solar Homes (SASH) Program, which is part of the California Solar Initiative.
SunPower
SunPower tops the chartswhen it comes to residential solar installations in California, and it achieved the Guinness Book of World Records Award for “the most efficient commercially available photovoltaic modules on the market” last year. Its solar panels will benefit these low-income residents a ton.
Kudos to SunPower and GRID Alternatives for this great partnership and work.
Source: SunPower | Image: Grid Alternatives
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About the Author
Zachary Shahan spends most of his time here on CleanTechnica as the director/chief editor. Otherwise, he's probably enthusiastically fulfilling his duties as the director/editor of Solar Love, EV Obsession, Planetsave, or Bikocity. Zach is recognized globally as a solar energy, electric car, and wind energy expert. If you would like him to speak at a related conference or event, connect with him via social media. You can connect with Zach on any popular social networking site you like. Links to all of his main social media profiles are on ZacharyShahan.com.
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