Before I was introduced to SunWork, I did solar workshops in the area. People would ask me if solar made sense with a low electric bill and at the time the answer was "it's a good choice for the environment, but economic payback is very long". However after I heard about SunWork and their nonprofit volunteer model that reduces the cost significantly, solar can have both an economic and environmental payback for people with small electric bills. I was so impressed that I joined the board. In addition, the volunteers learn valuable skills as well as contribute directly to reducing pollution and carbon emissions. Several volunteers have gone on to get jobs in the solar industry. And now SunWork is starting to help other nonprofits with solar installations so these nonprofits can reduce their energy costs as well as their environmental impact while delivering needed services.
Under the supervision of a licensed contractor, SunWork trains volunteers to perform most of the solar installation labor. This brings solar power to low-energy-use homes, where other installers don't want to or can't compete, and brings hands-on training to people wanting to work in solar, or who want to understand solar power better. This is a win/win/win: Customers are happy, volunteers are educated, and more solar power is generated where it otherwise wouldn't be.
SunWork is driven by the desire to make solar available to as many people as possible. Where certain markets are not served by for-profit businesses, SunWork finds ways to bring them solar energy. Where for-profit entities can serve the market SunWork trains the future installers, salespeople and all the roles in between that for-profits require. Further, SunWork provides a level of transparency to customers and the general public regarding what the real costs of a PV system are, helping to create a more informed market.