GRID Alternatives Inland Empire Awarded Over $765,000 to Expand Clean Energy Job Training in the Inland Region

Riverside, CA, November 2025 — GRID Alternatives Inland Empire (GRID IE) is proud to announce it has been selected as a Round 2 awardee of Thrive Inland SoCal’s Catalyst Funding, securing $765,941.78 to support the expansion of its acclaimed Installation Basics Training (IBT) 200 program.

This transformational grant will enable GRID IE to train 40 residents from the Inland Empire, including justice-involved individuals, transitional youth, and other underrepresented groups, for high-growth, high-wage careers in the clean energy sector. Trainees will participate in GRID IE’s industry-vetted Installation Basics Training 200-hour program (IBT 200), which provides a comprehensive combination of interactive classroom learning, hands-on lab activities, and real-world installation experience. GRID IE launched IBT 200 in the Inland Empire in 2023.

“This funding is not just an investment in workforce development,” said Jaime Alonso, Executive Director of GRID IE. “It’s an investment in community resilience, equity, and a cleaner, healthier future for the Inland Empire.”

The IBT 200 program’s outcomes are impressive: 84% of trainees meet or exceed passing benchmarks, and graduates have access to careers with earning potential ranging from $40,000 to $150,000 annually. In addition to boosting individual career paths, the program delivers clean energy projects to local homes, cutting utility bills and reducing environmental impact. The 20 solar projects completed through this grant will produce over 4.4 million kWh of electricity over 30 years, prevent 1,560 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, and save residents a combined total of over $1,000,000.

GRID IE’s project is grounded in collaboration. With partners like the Center for Employment Opportunities and regional councils of government through the Inland Regional Energy Network (I-REN), this initiative aligns with local labor market trends and climate action goals.

“GRID Alternatives is doing important work that helps people find employment in our growing green tech sector, while also assisting people struggling with the cost of living by lowering their utility costs,” City of Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson said. “This is a win-win for our community.”