A Few Minutes With Martha Juarez

Martha Juarez on site at GRID Alternatives

Two years ago, when Martha Juarez first joined GRID Alternatives as a volunteer, she knew bringing renewable energy to under-served families and social service agencies was her life’s calling.

The nation’s largest nonprofit solar installer, Oakland-based GRID partners with non-profit agencies throughout California, Colorado, the Mid-Atlantic region, and tribal communities nationwide as well as internationally in Mexico, Nicaragua and India.

From her San Diego office, Martha seeks out solar projects “that will benefit community organizations and families in need,” As part of that commitment, Martha’s staff currently hosts two LISC AmeriCorps members.

In her now full-time position with GRID, she oversees local outlay of SOMAH (Solar On Multifamily Affordable Housing), a 10-year, $100 million/year solar energy program made available to eligible multi-family buildings in California.

Since moving as a child from her native Guadalajara to Tijuana, Martha has seen the world up-close and personal, with previous IT and engineering stints with global companies that included Sony and Illumina in program management roles throughout Asia, Singapore, Europe, Great Britain, Mexico, and Australia.

Aside from doing her part to help save the planet, Martha enjoys traveling, volunteering, outdoor activities, and spending time with her son Izzy.

What makes renewable energy so compelling for you?

I believe we are facing a global environmental crisis right now. I always say, “We share the same house,” which of course is Planet Earth, and we all have the responsibility to care for it. That’s why renewable energy is important to me.

What are your daily tasks and responsibilities?

Simply stated, we develop projects for families and social service agencies in need. We serve the non-profit sector and GRID is a non-profit as a company. For me, what’s exciting is that I get to have different missions for public benefit – whether it’s for youngsters, women, men, minorities, or people in a life transition. I get to serve organizations that provide services to communities in need. When we install solar panels on their buildings, that reduces their operating expenses and frees up monies to apply to their mission.

What is the connection between LISC San Diego and GRID Alternatives team?

First of all, we both serve the non-profit community. We also share a mission for job training and placement. In that way, we’re proud to offer a professional development opportunity as an AmeriCorps host. Secondly, LISC works closely with developers in affordable housing, which is a sector GRID also serves.  We’re proud to partner with LISC.

What about your background prepared you for this role?

My background is in computer science and I started doing that a long time ago, in the initial stages of the industry. I’ve seen the IT industry grow over time and that’s how I view the amazing growth of technology in renewable energy. Early in my career, I took the path of managing large projects all around the world, in three continents, which prepared me for what I’m doing now. GRID Alternatives is very devoted to diversity and inclusion, and throughout my career I’ve always worked with different people from different cultures.

What does future hold for renewable energy?

As recently as 15 years ago, most of us couldn’t conceive of a world that’s so reliant on high tech, with our smart phones, email and laptops. Technology is now an extension of who we are and how we live our daily lives. Same thing with saving the planet by using more renewable resources. My hope is that conservation becomes a natural part of our everyday lives.