Established in 1998 as a spin-off from Real Goods Trading Company, the Solar Living Institute in Hopland, CA, is a 501[c][3] 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 is providing 22 solar installer training workshops throughout the state of California. Since 1998, the Institute has taught over 250 renewable energy workshops reaching 3,500 students 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 our annual SolFest event held each August.

SolFest features speakers, entertainment, over 55 educational workshops, 150 exhibitor booths [50% more this year than ever before!] with renewable energy and earth-friendly products, and an electric vehicle parade and display. This year there will be more focus on food and farming with a special pre-event food and farming conference cosponsored by the EcoFarming Association and an appearance during the event by Mollie Katzen, famed author of The Moosewood Cookbook.

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 Institute is home to Solar 2000, one of northern California`s largest solar arrays providing 160,000 kWh of clean renewable energy annually.

In 2003, the Institute is adding a new organic garden site; a new biodiesel 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].



The Solar Living Institute depends upon your support to continue to offer our programs. Please consider supporting the Institute by joining our Partners Program, making a gift online, donating equipment, signing up for long distance service, becoming an intern, or becoming a volunteer.