The solar power industry is doing more than simply generating electricity. It’s empowering families to generate energy savings and a great future.

SunEdison, a world enterprise in solar energy solutions is transforming lives through innovation by working with GRID Alternatives, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing the benefits of solar power to low-income communities. The two organizations are collaborating to provide home solar power installations for four Monterey County, Calif., families. The new systems will help the families achieve their goals of reducing their energy costs and reinvesting in their families’ futures.

Each family will receive a custom SunEdison solar system specifically designed for the homes’ size and energy usage. Each system will use SunEdison Silvantis modules which are designed for reliability and efficiency. The systems are being installed on each family’s home by volunteers from SunEdison and GRID Alternatives on July 26, 2013.

“The extra money will help us care for our children by feeding them better quality food and saving money for college,” said homeowner Marta Rodriguez. Rodriguez is a stay-at-home-parent with four children who will receive a 3.3 kilowatt (kw) SunEdison Silvantis module system for their home. The system is estimated to reduce electricity costs by $31,000 over its lifetime. Rodriguez’s husband works in maintenance at a local golf course.

The four homes receiving SunEdison systems courtesy of SunEdison and GRID Alternatives will have a total energy production capability of 8.1 kw for a combined projected lifetime savings of approximately $76,000 in energy costs with environmental savings equal to 238 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions or removing 42 cars from the roadways for a year.

“We are excited to be able to have such a positive impact for these families and this community,” Attila Toth, VP and General Manager of Distributed Generation for SunEdison, said. “We have more than 90 SunEdison volunteers scheduled to work on the project. This kind of effort allows us to experience first-hand the transformational effects of solar energy. It’s incredibly satisfying to see that impact in our own backyard.”