Press Kit

Who we are?
1BOG is founded by two San Franciscans, entrepreneurs and committed environmentalists turned solar advocates. 1BOG is a nationwide solar energy initiative designed to drive wider solar energy adoption through education, private financing and community purchase programs. Starting with San Francisco, 1BOG’s is committed to help bringing the US to the forefront of nations with highest solar energy use, and a recognized leader in the fight against global climate change, one city at a time. We hope to do this while energizing local economies by creating new green jobs through all the partners we bring in on each campaign.

What we do?
We make solar accessible to everyone by offering information, tools, logistical support and financing options of solar systems.

How we do it?
We remove cost as the primary hurdle by negotiating bulk-purchase pricing with solar providers and local installers and by providing additional private funding from sponsors and partners. In addition 1BOG.org provides logistical support for ground organization at the neighborhood level, online community, financing options and latest information on industry trends, grants and government subsidies.

1BOG operating charter:

• Educate - by providing clear, easy-to-understand information and ongoing communication, news update on systems, latest city, state and federal incentives.
• Organize - provide online forum and support for local ground organization at the neighborhood level.
• Negotiate - we negotiate the best term for the community with installers and manufacturers.
• Finance - we raise private financial contributions from local companies; in addition we also provide financing solutions through partnerships with “green” banks and financial institutions.
• Enable - we brings together the tools and information people need to understand solar options, and make their decision. Including technology and vendor assessment to determine best options.
• Validate - 1BOG.org is the good example of what an organized community and a grassroots effort can accomplish, mobilizing large groups of people and joining forces the fight against global climate change, one city block at a time.
• Drive - 1BOG.org immediate goal is to help reach San Francisco’s goal of 10,000 solar roofs by 2010 and the California State’s goal of one million solar homes by 2017.

Why we do this?
We believe that true change is more like to come from the ground up. Solar is a readily available renewable energy option but it is still at a premium price preventing most Americans from accessing it. 1BOG’s goal is to make solar financially appealing and equivalent or lower to current energy monthly/bill so it becomes a sensible choice.

How to reach us

Sylvia Ventura
Founder, 1BOG.org
Tel: 415.601.5336
Sylvia@1bog.org

Dan Barahona
Founder, 1BOG.org
Tel: 415.505.3007
Dan@1bog.org