SolarFest is a nonprofit organization with 501[c][3] status. Its mission is to educate people about renewable energy by engaging the community through the performing arts. Since its inception in 1995, SolarFest has built a reputation for promoting artistic excellence and community-building, and has raised more than a few eyebrows when people realize that our entire weekend festival is run on solar energy.



Beginning in 1999, SolarFest focused on getting the message out by initiating an earth education program for schools, and by putting the Solar Roller and Lightning Bug – custom trailers with solar arrays, batteries and inverters – on the road. SolarFest`s mobile units have helped power Pete Seeger`s Clearwater Revival at Croton-on-Hudson, the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival in upstate New York, various Earth Day events throughout New England, two Dar Williams concerts, Burlington`s Intervale Harvest Festival, Chelsea Green Publishing`s Convocation of the invisible Universe, and various one-day events throughout the region.



SolarFest`s reputation as New England`s Most Entertaining Energy and Music Festival is growing just as it should: reasonably and sustainably. We combine superb family entertainment with presentations by some of the region`s most knowledgable renewable energy experts. We thicken the mix with workshops on sustainable living, a special children`s activity tent [not a baby-sitting service, sorry!], and an assortment of craft, food, energy and sustainable living vendors. There is much room for serendipitous encounters, learning, relaxation, and celebration of the sun.