GRID Alternatives

GRID Alternatives envisions a rapid, equitable transition to a world powered by renewable energy that benefits everyone. Our mission is to build community-powered solutions to advance economic and environmental justice through renewable energy.

GRID was founded during the 2001 California energy crisis by Erica Mackie, P.E., and Tim Sears, P.E., two engineering professionals who were implementing large-scale renewable energy and energy efficiency projects for the private sector. The idea that drove them was simple: free, clean electricity from the sun should be available to everyone. Through GRID Alternatives, they developed a model to make solar PV technology practical and accessible for low-income communities, while providing pathways to clean energy jobs.

GRID completed its first single-family installation for the Cubas family of San Francisco in 2004. In 2008, GRID was selected by the California Public Utilities Commission to serve as the statewide program manager for its groundbreaking Single-family Affordable Solar Homes (SASH) incentive program, prompting a expansion across California.

Today, GRID is a leading voice in low-income solar policy and the nation’s largest nonprofit solar installer, serving families throughout California, Colorado, the Mid-Atlantic region, and tribal communities nationwide. Our Energy For All Program (formerly Solar Affordable Housing Program) offers single-family, multifamily and community solar installation services, project development and technical assistance, and we offer multiple levels of workforce development and service learning opportunities, from volunteerism to in-depth solar training and paid internships. In addition, GRID’s international program partners with communities in Nicaragua, Nepal and Mexico to address their energy access issues.

The Green Contractor Alliance

The Green Contractor Alliance (GCA) is GRID's strategy for advancing wealth-building in the communities we serve by creating and supporting a network of local contractors. Our goal is to connect local, mission-aligned contractors with support resources to strengthen their foundation and help them to enter or scale their business in the electrification, decarb and renewable energy sector.

We envision GCA as the central hub for contractor resources. By offering wraparound support, sourcing contract opportunities, and pooling resources, we are helping contractors to grow their businesses and compete at scale with other contractors nationwide while keeping economic benefits locally rooted.

Our network aims to span a wide range of contractor trades, including:

Solar
ESS
EV
Wind turbine
Energy efficiency retrofits
Site surveys, design, and engineering
Main panel upgrades
Trenching, tree trimming, and roofing
other complementary services

Together, we offer a comprehensive infrastructure to help contractors access projects, navigate requirements, and grow sustainably.

Meet the Team

This is your Team section. Briefly introduce the team then add their bios below. Click here to edit.

Director

Topher Walker

Topher brings over a decade of leadership in residential solar operations and program development to GRID Alternatives. He has built and scaled operations teams across the renewable energy sector, leading major initiatives that expanded installation capacity, improved contractor performance, and reduced program bottlenecks. His specialty lies in developing operational systems for long term scalability.

At GRID, Topher directs the Green Contractor Alliance. His approach blends systems thinking with a deep commitment to equity, ensuring that underrepresented businesses and workers gain access to the tools and partnerships needed to build a just energy transition.

Sr Program Manager

Jordan Cupach

Jordan leads contractor and program management within GRID Alternatives’ Green Contractor Alliance. She’s known for building genuine, lasting relationships with solar contractors by balancing structure and accountability with a collaborative, approachable style that keeps projects moving smoothly.

Jordan brings expertise in contractor onboarding, management, project coordination, and process design, helping ensure each partnership is both organized and rewarding. Her leadership helps foster trust, consistency, and long-term engagement across GRID’s growing national contractor network.

QA & Training Manager

Don Tonic

Don is a 14 year veteran "Ninja" of the solar pv industry. He first earned his stripes as a field installer, then climbed the ranks through project management and is the president/founder of Solar Plus LLC, an installation & consulting firm now in its 10th year.

His vast wealth of field experience covers all aspects of operations along with well-earned business development skills such as branding, marketing, sales, training, recruiting and accounting. His literal first time on a roof was volunteering for Grid Alternatives while attending tech school in Los Angeles. And today his career has brought him full circle returning to Grid as QA & Training Manager for the Contractor Services Team. He holds the coveted NABCEP PV Installation Pro Certification, is a Georgia State Licensed Electrician & shows no sign of slowing anytime soon.