The Solar Living Institute (SLI), located in Hopland, California, is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization that promotes sustainability through educational programs such as professional solar training, green living workshops and annual conferences and events. Visit their website at solarliving.org.

SLI’s origins date back to 1978 when John Schaeffer, a renewable energy pioneer and visionary, started Real Goods – an alternative marketplace which sold the first solar panel in the U.S. SLI became an educational nonprofit in 1998 and offers programs to thousands of students and participants annually, serving the local, national and international community.

SLI’s Solar Photovoltaic Intensive courses are nationally accredited and qualify students to gain achievement certifications through the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Sustainable Living classes include natural building, bio-fuels, electric vehicles, permaculture, and food production via organic gardens, bees, chickens and more.

The annual solar festival, Solfest™, is a 2-day, family-friendly, green event featuring informative workshops, celebrations and entertainment, now in its 14th year. SLI also offers a 1-day Green Career conference showcasing industry leaders in the green tech and sustainability fields and provides an excellent exploration opportunity for career seekers.

The Solar Living Institute is based at the Solar Living Center (SLC), a 12-acre exhibit and demonstration site built on reclaimed land—now a permaculture oasis. Each year the Solar Living Institute welcomes 6 student interns who live and work at the Solar Living Center for 9 months in their chosen focus area, be it renewable energy, sustainable living, nonprofit public relations, or facilities and landscaping.

The site is also a popular location for K-12 school groups that flock to the SLI campus in the spring and fall for field trips that include interactive demonstrations led by staff and interns. The SLC attracts over 200,000 visitors each year, offering examples of renewable energy and sustainable living practices that encourages the general public to turn inspiration into action.

The Solar Living Institute shares the Solar Living Center with the Real Goods Store, which showcases fair trade and sustainable living products.

For more information about SLI,
visit: www.solarliving.org