Nonprofit celebrates final installation of 64 solar panels that will help offset energy costs for senior community in Simi Valley, CA.
Ruth Luevanos, from left, Council Member Simi Valley; Anna Hu, Residential Project Designer; Ashley Christy, Executive Director of GRID Alternatives Greater Los Angeles; Danny Hom, External Affairs Manager at GRID Alternatives Greater Los Angeles; Luz Soto, CEDC Director of Property Management and Resident and Community Services; Ana Melendez, Jonatan Escalante, Construction Manager,GRID GLA.
VENTURA COUNTY —Cabrillo EDC was honored to work with GRID Alternatives Greater Los Angeles (GRID GLA), a nonprofit organization that installs solar power systems and provides job training for economic and environmental justice communities. During a week-long project in early March 2022, GRID GLA installed 64 solar panels on a ten-car carport at the Cabrillo EDC’s Camino Esperanza property in Simi Valley.
Camino Esperanza is a rental community serving seniors aged 62 years and older with 30 one-bedroom units. Eleven units are for Seniors with developmental disabilities at 25 percent of the area median income. The remaining 19 units are available for seniors earning up to 50 percent of the area median income. Two units are ADA compliant and 28 are fully adaptable.
“Adding solar panels to Camino Esperanza will provide power and help reduce energy costs for all the residents at the property,” said Denise Bickerstaff, Director of Business Development and Administration at Cabrillo EDC. “Special thanks to the entire GRID GLA team and also to Simi Valley Council Member Ruth Luevanos for joining us and reminding us how win-win projects like this benefit our community and residents.”
The new panels were made possible with the help of funding delivered by the SOMAH (Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing) program (https://calsomah.org ), a funding source which is available for projects serving low-income CA renters. The program provides financial incentives for installing photovoltaic (PV) energy systems on multifamily affordable housing in California and will provide 25.42 kw DC, or 23.423 kw AC of clean power to the property, producing an environmental savings equivalent to planting 900 trees.
“Renewable energy installation is best for the community when it acknowledges diversity and the ways we can all be contributors,”?saidAshley Christy, GRID Alternatives Greater Los Angeles Executive Director. “This year, International Women’s Day coincided with a project at Camino Esperanza in Simi Valley that could never have been possible without important contributions from women on our construction teams.? At GRID, we were proud to note our partnership with Cabrillo EDC which ensures the benefits of this project will translate into both affordability and sustainability for Camino Esperanza residents.”
About GRID Alternatives Greater Los Angeles — GRID Alternatives Greater Los Angeles (GRID GLA) is an affiliate of GRID Alternatives, which accelerates solar power and jobs through renewable energy access and climate equity in communities of color. Using a unique, people-first model, GRID GLA develops and implements solar projects that serve qualifying households and affordable housing providers, while providing hands-on job training. We exist to build community-driven solutions to advance economic and environmental justice.
?About Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation??— The Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation has been making dreams come true, one home at a time, since 1981. Proud to be the largest developer of affordable homes in Ventura County, Cabrillo’s success is the result of decades of passion, dedication and vision. Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation develops and manages service-enriched, inclusive residential communities, ensuring access to affordable, secure, quality housing that creates the foundation for our residents to grow and thrive. At Cabrillo, home is more than a place to live – it is the cornerstone of the community’s economic, environmental and social wellbeing.??
