User:Landpiratekelly

The Solar Living Institute in Hopland, California was established in 1998 as a spin-off from Real Goods Trading Company. The Institute is headquartered at the Solar Living Center in Hopland, California, 95 miles north of the San Francisco Bay Area. It is a non-profit educational organization that promotes sustainable living through inspirational environmental education. The Institute provides one- to seven-day workshops on renewable energy, green building, sustainable living, ecological design and alternative construction methods. In 2003, with a grant from the California Energy Commission, the Institute providing solar installer training workshops throughout the state of California. Since 1992, the Institute has taught renewable energy workshops with practical hands-on knowledge of solar, wind, water and other renewable energy technologies and their utilization. This is in addition to educational workshops each year at their annual Solfest event held each August. Solfest features speakers, entertainment, over 55 educational workshops, 150 exhibitor booths with renewable energy and earth-friendly products, and an electric vehicle parade and display. The Institute manages the Solar Living Center, a 12-acre renewable energy and sustainable living demonstration site that is visited by nearly 200,000 people annually. The Institute also offers a unique and highly competitive, year-round intern program for 20-25 people. The Solar Living Institute depends upon public support to continue it’s programs. The Institute is home to Solar 2000, one of northern California's largest solar arrays providing 160,000 kWh of clean renewable energy annually.

the Institute maintains an organic garden; a biodesiel fueling station for highway vehicles and tractors of local farmers; and a demonstration tree home (a self-contained, unique octagonal living space supported by and surrounding a tree).

www.solarliving.org