Employees Improve Communities with Solar

Solar energy has the potential to create thousands of jobs and help strengthen our economy while providing a direct benefit to the consumer. But many homeowners lack the resources to harness this abundant source of clean energy - particularly the low-income homeowner that may need to choose between paying an energy bill and feeding their family.

That’s where GRID Alternatives comes in. A state-wide nonprofit organization, GRID Alternatives is the Program Manager for the Single-family Affordable Solar Homes (SASH) Program and to date, has installed more than 400 systems on homes across California. Applied Materials is proud to sponsor GRID and recently completed our third group volunteer activity with them as part of several activities employees were engaged in for the month to recognize Earth Day and the company’s “EarthWorks” program to give back to communities and advance the company’s sustainability and renewable energy goals. Over 2 days in April, nearly 60 employees from Applied Materials volunteered more than 500 hours to install solar power systems on 4 homes in the Alviso neighborhood of San Jose.

For employees – many of whom design and build the products that make the solar panels – the experience is a perfect opportunity to see the end result of the solar technology they help to create, while simultaneously volunteering to improve the lives of others. For GRID, the activities help them achieve their mission of making efficient energy solutions available for all. And most importantly, for the families receiving the solar systems, the project eliminates having to make the tough choice between energy and food.

Through Applied’s partnership with GRID, employees are able to participate in a volunteer project that provides learning for them, as well as a social benefit for the community. Read more about Applied’s commitment to the community in our 2009 Citizenship Report.