1BOG “organizes big groups of people together who want to get solar energy, and gets them a huge discount.”

Renewable energy is the buzz word of the year. From the White House to the greenhouse, people are being told that renewable sources of energy, like wind and solar are the answer to the clunky, dirty fossil fuels we’ve depended on for so long. The federal government is even offering tax credits for building or renovating homes so that they use energy more efficiently. But saying we need homes powered by the sun, and actually heating your morning shower with it are still, unfortunately, two entirely different things.

1BOG (stands for 1 Block Off the Grid) is a San Francisco company working to drastically improve residential access to solar power through community organization that even our President would surely be proud of.

Based on the idea that there are both savings and safety in numbers, 1BOG “organizes big groups of people together who want to get solar energy, and gets them a huge discount.”

Although it seems to simple to be effective, this concept offers several benefits:

1. An organized community can buy solar in bulk, so 1BOG negotiates with installers to get impressive discounts for each homeowner in the collective.
2. 1BOG make the process much more simple and painless, while using its deep solar energy expertise to educate consumers throughout the process.
3. 1BOG offers safety in numbers, and unlike the installers themselves, their incentives are always aligned with yours.

Interested? Visit the 1BOG.org to learn if there’s already a campaign in your neighborhood- if there is, simply add your name to the list of interested property owners. Once interest reaches critical mass in your area, 1BOG will launch a request for proposal (RFP) to installers in your area and begin negotiations and vetting. If not, be the first to sign up, and start recruiting your neighbors!

Not a homeowner or already enjoying solar power but still want to help?

1Bog is looking for volunteers and field organizers with as little as 5 minutes of extra time to help spread the word about their campaigns in cities around the country. Info on the website and an easily downloadable field kit will help get you started.