In a post on WorldChanging from December 9, a San Francisco Bay company is highlighted. We’ve all heard of Habitat for Humanity and its amazing work which builds new homes for low-income families through community collaboration. But, this offers a new twist.

Grid Alternatives provides solar energy expertise, labor, and design for low-income individuals who often get socked the most for higher energy prices. By asking the homeowner to cover just the cost of equipment, new solar panels are installed; individuals are trained; communities are made more sustainable; and people at the lowest end of the social and economic spectrum are afforded an opportunity to better use limited resources.

From the Grid Alternatives website:

Our vision of sustainable development centers on community involvement and our focus and expertise lies in using renewable energy (solar, wind, small hydro, bio-mass) to provide solutions to the challenges facing the rural and urban poor.

I’ve often wondered how sustainability could be encouraged at the lowest income levels where it can have the greatest impact on daily life. Too often organic food, environmentally sustainable housing solutions, and energy efficient transportation solutions cost more than the working poor can afford. The ability to afford something good for life and good for the earth should not preclude the availability of this good to the largest possible audience. It’s great to see this type of initiative gaining the interest of so many sponsors, many of whom make it a point of being on the forefront of innovative and environmentally-friendly solutions.

What a wonderful example of young people using their skills to better the lives of people who have little. Stewardship at its best.