In mid-August, the Sempra Foundation, founded by Sempra, and GRID Alternatives announced the completion of multiple grid-tied solar energy system installations in northern Baja California, Mexico. The solar installations will help provide cleaner renewable power for seven environmental and economic justice communities, including two orphanages, two Indigenous residential communities, a health center, a migrant center, and a hospice serving individuals experiencing homelessness and living with HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.

The solar installations are part of a year-long collaboration between Sempra Foundation, which provided $200,000 in project funding, and GRID Alternatives. Currently, the installations have reduced electricity costs by up to 50 percent for the organizations, allowing them to reallocate funds to critical needs that typically are not covered by donations.

"Anyone visiting one of the orphanages and migrant shelters would be able to witness first-hand the tremendous impact that these solar installations have had on the dozens of children who reside at both locations," said Christy Ihrig, Sempra Foundation board member. "Energy is foundational to progress, and by providing these children with cleaner, more affordable, more reliable energy, precious resources can now be spent on medicine, books, and other important necessities, helping to shape a better future for all."

The Sempra Foundation and GRID Alternatives plan to collaborate on a second solar installation project, which is expected to include more than 140 kilowatts of solar energy and battery storage systems at nine different locations across Baja California.