San Francisco-based 1BOG.org Launches US Largest Community Solar Initiative

Published by sylvia | Filed under Uncategorized

San Francisco-based 1BOG.org Launches US Largest Community Solar Initiative

1 Block Off the Grid – 1BOG.org, a San Francisco based solar community advocacy group today announced the launch of its first citywide solar conversion challenge in San Francisco. This will be the largest ever solar community conversion in the US. The goal of the 1BOG.org citywide challenge is to take one entire city block “off the Grid”.

1BOG.org is committed to make solar accessible by offering information, assessment tools, financing and funding to San Franciscans who are considering solar options for their home. The city has set a goal of 10,000 solar roofs by 2010; to date less than 700 residences have solar on their roofs.

“Solar is still costly, pricing out most households. The industry has been slow in bringing forward solutions to help convert large groups of homes to this readily available renewable energy alternative,” said Sylvia Ventura, Co-Founder and Managing Director of 1BOG.org. “We realized in our initial research for our own solar system that most hurdles to residential solar adoption can be cleared with a well designed program that addresses, cost, information on government incentives/tax benefits, financing and logistical support. With that in mind, we designed 1BOG.org to target all of these barriers and help San Franciscans make the move to solar.”

1BOG.org provides substantial financial support and better pricing by negotiating with solar manufacturers and installers. In addition, 1BOG.org helps mobilize and organize neighbors by providing logistical support, community education, financing options and information on latest industry trends, legislation and incentives subsidies.

San Francisco based 1BOG.org has already gathered key support from public officials in City Hall and generated interest from the industry. 1BOG.org is hosting an online Solar Registry and is expected to reach a committed 100 KW of solar capacity by the end of July. 1BOG.org’s executive team has initiated the funding phase for San Francisco’s pilot campaign, and is currently approaching potential sponsors and financial partners.

About 1BOG.org

1BOG.org was founded by two San Franciscans, entrepreneurs and committed environmentalists turned solar advocates. 1BOG.org is a citywide solar energy initiative designed to drive wider solar energy adoption through education, private financing and community purchase programs. 1BOG.org is committed to helping bring San Francisco to the forefront of cities with highest solar energy use in the US, leading the way in a fight against global climate change. For additional information about San Francisco’s 1BOG.org Solar Challenge, please visit http://www.1bog.org or call Sylvia Ventura at 415.601.5336.

Press Contact
Sylvia Ventura
1 Block Off the Grid
press@1bog.org