Opportunity Details
Solar Installation Volunteer
Reserve your spot on the volunteer installation crew! Help make the benefits of solar power accessible to low-income families while learning new skills and having fun outside. Gain hands-on solar experience and network with others interested in renewable energy, the environment, and our communities. Best of all, there’s no experience, special skills, or tools needed.
How to Volunteer with GRID Alternatives Central Valley
Step 1: Go to www.gridalternatives.org/volunteerapp to fill out a volunteer application.
Step 2: Once you submit your application, you will start getting monthly emails with information about upcoming volunteer opportunities and orientation session dates, with links to register for them. You can also check out our calendar at http://www.gridalternatives.org/calendar?tid[]=5. The calendar is typically updated during the first week of the month with confirmed opportunities and periodically updated throughout the month as events are planned. YOU MUST ATTEND A VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION BEFORE ATTENDING AN INSTALLATION.
Step 3: Receive confirmation for your orientation, training, or installation date after you sign up. Please note that we have thousands of interested volunteers and it is common to be waitlisted 2-3 times for an event.
Step 4: Volunteer under the supervision of our professional solar installers. GRID Alternatives is both a nonprofit organization and a licensed California C-10 electrical contractor. All volunteers must sign a waiver onsite at the installation.
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about volunteering:
• What is the time commitment? 1-2 days, 7:00am – 3:00pm with a break for lunch. Installations are typically 2-day installations. You can volunteer for one or both days.
• How many volunteers can you accommodate? For safety and workflow reasons, each site can accommodate 10-15 volunteers each day. Spots fill up quickly with consideration for previously waitlisted and local volunteers and participants in job training programs. We encourage local volunteer attendance at our events and cannot guarantee confirmation to individuals traveling long distances. We also cannot provide lodging assistance.
• What experience is required? No experience or tools necessary! Each team is led by experienced GRID Alternatives staff, and each installation is managed by GRID construction staff. Moderate lifting (20 lbs.) may be involved. As GRID Alternatives policy, all modules and inverters must be carried by at least 2 people at all times. If you are uncomfortable with heights or ladders, ground work is available.
• What is the age requirement for volunteering? You must be 18 or over to volunteer. In some cases, we can accommodate 16-17 year-olds with written parental consent.
Environment, Civic & Community
Low-income Communities
Building/Construction
Age Minimum (with Adult): 16+, Minimum Age:18+
Log in or Register
In order to register for this opportunity you must log in to an existing account or register to create a new account.
Sign up with a team
This link allows you to participate in this opportunity with a team. A team can be a family team, corporate team, or any kind of organized group. When you click on the link you will have the option to:
- Choose an existing team you're already a member or captain of, or
- Create a new team to sign up.
Signup Questions
Please respond to the following questions in order to signup for this opportunity:
