WHAT is 1 Block off the Grid?

1BOG is a consumer-based community purchase initiative - the largest in the country - that focuses on driving widespread adoption of clean energy solutions through group purchase. We use the power of communities, along with education, logistical support, social networks and group pricing to promote sustainable lifestyles. 1BOG campaigns focus on the three principal barriers to ‘clean-energy-living’. We like to call it the Clean Living Trifecta.

1BOG Clean living Trifecta:

Cost - most novel technologies such as solar are still prohibitive for most Americans,. 1BOG negotiates group pricing on behalf of our members.

Complexity - there are two important parts of complexity. The technology component “What’s available?” and the process itself “How do I get it?” 1BOG helps on both fronts. We sort through the information, look at the options, run the numbers and compile the information, so at the end of the day, you can make a well-informed decision.

Community - we foster local communities by identifying community leaders and making it possible to organize and communicate with your neighbors and local groups. Together we are smarter, together we are stronger, together we can make a difference.

Each 1BOG campaign is based on the same foundation. We identify a viable solution, we evaluate the level of interest in a community and we start spreading the word. Once we reach critical mass in a region, we aggregate the group’s information and use our collective bargaining power to negotiate pricing and terms on behalf of our members.

This initial effort focuses on residential solar energy, but we are already working on the next generation of ‘sustainable-living’ residential products.  Check back soon for more information.

* Fine print - We don’t mean literally off-the-grid, nor do we mean literally a city block. Even homes with solar power remain connected to the grid. We want to help enough of our neighbors move to solar to add up to the electricity demands of a typical city block. We estimate an average city block to require a total of 200 KW of solar energy production - so that’s our goal! If that group of houses happen to be on the same block, even better!