Where the mission began: Celebrating 20 years of impact with GRID Alternatives

Twenty years ago, the Murphy family became the first residential solar clients of GRID Alternatives, opening their San Carlos home to a young nonprofit with a mission to make clean energy more accessible to families and communities. 

On September 15, GRID Alternatives returned to the Murphy house to upgrade it with new solar equipment and battery storage, helping ensure the family can continue benefiting from clean energy well into the future. This marked a full-circle moment for an organization that has spent two decades expanding access to clean energy, economic opportunity and workforce development. 

BMO participated in the milestone celebration as a longtime supporter of GRID's work. Since 2023, The bank has committed $5 million to support GRID Alternatives’ work, including solar energy systems, battery storage, clean mobility and workforce development programs – all helping advance initiatives that expand access to clean energy and strengthen community resilience across Northern California and beyond.  

"The Murphy family's story is a powerful example of how investments in clean energy can deliver benefits that last for years, helping families manage costs, strengthen resilience and prepare for the future."

- Melissa Fifield, head of the BMO Climate Institute 

The Murphy home upgrade offers a tangible example of impact in action. What began with a single residential solar installation has grown into an organization that has served more than 38,000 households and generated more than $887 million in lifetime energy savings for historically underserved communities.  

In the Bay Area alone, GRID reports serving more than 14,000 families, generating more than $328 million in lifetime energy savings and preventing more than one million tons of greenhouse gas emissions.  

"People often ask Erica [Mackie, GRID Alternatives Co-Founder and Co-CEO] and me what GRID Alternatives' secret is, and there are a lot of pieces that go into projects like this, but I think the thing that stands out to me is that two decades after our first project, GRID Alternatives is still here. We're still doing the work every day."

- Tim Sears, Co-founder and Co-CEO, GRID Alternative 

The Murphy family's story demonstrates what can happen when organizations remain committed to communities over time. Twenty years after the original installation, the home continues to showcase the enduring benefits of clean energy while serving as a reminder that meaningful impact is often measured over decades, not days.  

As communities continue navigating the transition to a more sustainable economy, the anniversary offers a powerful example of how collaborations, local investment and sustained commitment can help create lasting benefits for future generations.