As we celebrate the bounty of the fall 2011 harvest, we recognize that everyone is impacted by the challenges of continued high unemployment (9% nationally, 12% in California), budget cuts to education, and protecting our fragile environment.  

But there are solutions to these problems through sustainable solar living:

• A 50% increase in solar industry jobs since 2010, with 50% annually growth projected for more green jobs in the future.
• A projected 100% increase in solar power plants by 2013 to reduce carbon emissions
• Environmental and sustainable living education becoming a core curriculum in our schools and colleges

As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, the Solar Living Institute has spent the past 15 years providing individuals who want to make a difference with practical education intended to empower them with appropriate skills to enter a green profession, achieve a green lifestyle, or both.  We hear amazing stories from our intern graduates who have gone on to start solar businesses or land well-paying jobs in the solar industry, or work with other environmental nonprofits.  We’re extremely proud of the valuable work they are drawn to and their dedication to creating a healthier planet and more sustainable way of life.

In 2011, we continued our successful environmental education programs, where 30% of all our solar PV training graduates found jobs in the solar industry:

• Kids’ Education Program: provided 1,543 local and regional school kids environmental education tours of our Solar Living Center, supporting classroom environmental studies this year.
• Solar Living Center: hosted nearly 200,000 visitors at our 12-acre demonstration site, a 34% increase over 2010
• Intern Program: educated and inspired 7 onsite adults about living solar and sustainable living practices
• Solar Training Courses: educated over 9,250 students in our face-to-face and online NABCEP approved solar training courses since 1998 from across the US
• Environmental Outreach: participated in environmental education events regionally, including Climate Ride, Solar Sonoma County Solar Fairs, the Not-So Simple Living Fair, the NCBE Career Expo for middle and high school students, Mendocino College green education panels, and many others
• Custom Solar Training: provided custom solar PV trainings in Detroit, MI; Ukiah and Southern California; Atlantic City, NJ; Canada, and other sites around North America.
• Solar 2000 Education Campaign: thanks to major donations, we paid down installation cost of our 132 kW Solar 2000 PV Array to $32,500, which will provide almost $50,000/year in educational funding through clean renewable energy sold back to the grid. The original installation cost was $175,000. We are almost there!!

But to continue with these innovative training programs we need your support!

We’re asking YOU to become a supporter in training tomorrow’s environmental leaders today.  Your tax-deductible donation allows our mission of "promoting sustainable living through inspirational environmental educatiobn" to grow and continue making a positive impact in people’s lives.

Your dollars and support help keep the Solar Living Institute a leader in teaching and demonstrating the key skills necessary for training professionals, homeowners and K-12 students to create a greener earth through sustainable living.  Please, MAKE A DIFFERENCE TODAY by becoming a Supporter of the Solar Living Institute.

For our future and the earth,

 Ross Beck
Executive Director

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