The Solar Living Institute was formed as an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization by Real Goods founder John Schaeffer in 1996. Real Goods, now part of Gaiam Inc., is a for-profit company, and the Solar Living Institute functions as a completely separate non-profit. Although we both reside at the Solar Living Center in Hopland, the two are 100% independent of each other.

No! As a non-profit organization, our educational programs and outreach efforts are funded entirely by our programs and by contributions from our donors and Partners. Without your support, we wouldn't be able to achieve our vital educational mission. To find out more about the many ways you can support our educational mission, please click here.

The Solar Living Center is open seven days a week, every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. Summer hours are 10-7, and winter hours are 10-6.
For directions and a link to a map, please click here.
 

You can pick up a self-guided tour brochure any time you visit the site. We also offer intern-guided tours of the site every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 11am and 3pm from March through November.  Donations are requested.
If you would like to arrange a custom tour for your school or community group, or a professional level tour for your business or college class, we would be happy to arrange it. There is a charge for these tours. Complete information on our tour program is available here.
 

We welcome inquiries from the media, and are happy to arrange photogenic site vists, and content-rich interviews.
Contact Orion Walker at 707-472-2459, or email us.

Your financial support is vital to sustaining our industry-leading renewable energy workshops. To make an individual or recurring gift, click here. To learn about the many benefits available to Solar Living Institute Partners, visit our Partner page.

We're always interested in hearing from hard-working, enthusiastic individuals. Check out our Employment page for a list of current job listings.

Absolutely! Volunteers are involved in virtually every aspect of our work. Examples of recent activities include: preparing mailings, assisting with workshops, building new structures on the site, and helping out with SolFest. For more information about volunteering SLI, visit our Volunteer page.

Absolutely! Many graduates of our workshop program have gone on to satisfying and financially rewarding careers in green building, solar energy, and a host of other related fields. To register for upcoming workshops, go to our Workshops page.

For links to environmental and renewable energy organizations in your area, check out our resources page.

No way! Our workshops are designed for people of all ages. Workshop participants include college students, young professionals, mid-career professionals, and retirees.