Part two of our GRID Alternatives series focuses on the people behind the mission: the organization’s 4,000 or so volunteers who have gained real-life training while helping complete solar energy installations in low-income communities across California. It is this symbiotic relationship — between the organization and its volunteers — that each year lures hundreds of individuals to the call of the organization’s mission.

All volunteers have the opportunity to help install entire solar energy systems. GRID Alternatives gradually works volunteers up to that stage, allowing them to first help with small stages of the installation, like panel passing or just observing the wiring of the system. There is no timetable for when a volunteer can get fully involved in the installation. Whenever you feel ready, you’re on.

Volunteers install solar panels atop a Habitat for Humanity housing project in Oakland, CA on June 8, 2010. A typical GRID installation takes 10-15 volunteers to complete.

The experience of Marc Fontana, who began volunteering with GRID in April of 2006, illustrates well how volunteers help the organization, and vice versa.

Within months of losing his job, the San Francisco Bay Area native went through a GRID Alternatives training course and was soon working on his first volunteer assignment in northern California’s East Bay. Since then, he has dedicated himself to learning about the solar industry and helping GRID Alternatives install solar energy systems.

“A co-worker and I both lost our jobs, and we were both interested in solar and renewable energy,” he said. At the outset, Fontana had minimal experience with solar energy, but was interested in GRID Alternatives because he felt the organization gave him the best chance to learn how to install.

“I heard volunteers get to do installations from start to finish. There is no substitute for hands on,” he said. To date, Fontana has volunteered at GRID Alternative sites in Antioch, Greenfield, Castroville, Oakland and San Francisco and is one of GRID’s longest standing volunteers.

Beyond volunteering an average of four days a week, Fontana has earned certification from the North American Board of Solar Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), a leading industry certification-granting entity. His interest in solar even extends to his personal life: He now has a solar energy system on his house. Above all else, Fontana has gained an appreciation for the hands-on approach taken by GRID Alternatives.

“I recommend GRID to anyone interested in working in the field because it’s one of the few opportunities to work hands-on,” he said.

If volunteer interest is an indication, GRID’s approach seems to be working. Mike Faulk, who has worked with GRID since 2008, remembers a time when volunteers could get on-site just days after signing up on GRID Alternatives’ website. Now, however, there’s a months-long waiting list.

“It’s harder to volunteer now, but I continue to work with them because it’s for a good cause,” said Faulk, who has been a part of over 20 GRID Alternatives installations over the years and has earned the role of team leader. “It’s the Habitat for Humanity of the solar industry.”

Anyone can sign up for GRID’s email list, which provides information about upcoming volunteer opportunities. Applicants must complete a form and be able to commit themselves to one or two, six-hour work days a week.

THE END RESULT in Oakland, California, on June 8, 2010. On average, the system will save these residents $20 to $40 on their monthly utility bill.

After signing up, volunteers are required to attend a brief orientation about safety and what to expect on the job site. Once on the job site, individuals have the opportunity to learn from from supervisors — who are professionally trained and certified solar installers — as well as from volunteer team leaders, like Marc Fontana.

Considerations about self-improvement job skills aside, it’s evident that all GRID volunteers believe deeply in the GRID mission — and are excited to be helping a worth cause.

“When you’re out there, you know you’re helping communities in need and fighting environmental injustice,” said Fontana. “Neighbors always come out to see what’s going on. If it wasn’t for programs like this, some people would never get or even know about solar power.”

In case you missed it, check out the first installment of our Grid Alternatives series.