Richmond, Calif. - December 16, 2009 – Solar Richmond, the nation’s pioneering green-collar job training and placement organization, today announces a new and exciting pilot partnership with the solar buying collective One Block Off The Grid (1BOG) and installation company groSolar. Together with groSolar and local nonprofit Solar Richmond, through January 31, 1BOG is offering members who purchase solar a unique opportunity to sponsor a green-collar worker. The current Bay Area 1BOG solar campaign has been extended through January 2010 to support this pilot program with a special reduced rate of $5.53 per watt from installer partner groSolar.
 

"We are giving solar customers the opportunity to create environmental and social value," said Michele McGeoy, Founder and Executive Director of Solar Richmond. "By partnering with 1BOG and groSolar, we are excited to be a part of 1BOG's community model in order to raise awareness of the importance of green-collar jobs as a way to increase economic opportunity."

Bay Area 1BOG members will now have a unique opportunity to support a graduate of Solar Richmond's green-collar jobs training program. The opt in program will provide green-collar graduates with two days of hands-on training, assisting groSolar’s expert crew with 1BOG solar installations. To participate, members pay a small, tax-deductible donation of $112, which both 1BOG and groSolar match.

1BOG, a subsidiary of Virgance, is rooted in social responsibility. Through 1BOG's proven model of harnessing community action to accelerate adoption of renewable energy, this green-collar pilot program aims to improve local employment rates, boost the region's economy and further solidify the Bay Area's environmental leadership position.

“groSolar’s mission is all about building the green economy and a clean-energy future,” said groSolar CEO Jeff Wolfe. “This partnership is a fantastic example of how the solar industry and community-based non-profits can work together to make the green economy a reality, while also developing the local workforce.”
 
San Francisco Bay Area residents can sign up for the current 1BOG campaign, now extended to run through January 31, 2010. With groSolar as the installer, customers can take advantage of the partnership with Solar Richmond and promote green economic development. Customers can currently purchase solar for $5.53/watt. For more information or to sign up, visit 1BOG’s San Francisco solar campaign page.

Press Contact:

Kandea Mosley

kandea@SolarRichmond.org

510-621-1722