Real Goods Solar Living Institute

Programs: The solar living institute offered workshops at the solar living center ranging from basic solar photovoltaics (pv) and advanced pv systems, to beekeeping, greywater sytems and mushroom cultivation. Included in the solar pv training are four online courses, which were offered in collaboration with sify technologies. Solar living institute is an accredited training organization for pv system design and installation programs by interstate renewable energy council (irec). Students are eligible to sit for the entry level and advanced national board of certified energy practitioners (nabcep) certification. Sli hosted two special events at the solar living center: earth day in april and solfest in august. Earth day drew a crowd of 500 which featured wine tastings and pairings, and solfest attracted 1,200 attendees who enjoyed the workshops, networking, speakers and entertainment. In addition sli hosted a wedding, renting out the grounds and supplying support staff. A 3-day kids ed camp was introduced: camp solar, which is designed for children ages 7-11. The solar living center was registered as ccof organically certified in 2013. Site staff sold produce and wheat grass to the local markets utilizing the growing dome and training interns to assist in running the operation. Slis residential internship program, which recruits young adults eager to become more familiar with the green and renewable industry, offers participants educational workshops and the opportunity to live a communal, sustainable lifestyle at the solar living center. In 2013 the program supported nine interns (including caretakers) anywhere from three to nine months, over the course of the summer. The internship program continued over the winter, and included two interns and two caretakers. The membership and donation program took in $28748. An in-house membership drive in october and the annual end-of-year donation campaign brought in crucial support for the educational programs and ongoing operating expenses.