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Established in 1998 by the founder of the Real Goods Trading Company, the Solar Living Institute in Hopland, CA, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization that promotes sustainable living through inspirational environmental education.

• Workshops – This program became part of the Solar Living Institute in 1998 when our organization was founded. Our workshop program was an outgrowth of workshops first offered by Real Goods in 1991 under the name of the Institute for Independent Living. Energy efficiency, solar photovoltaics, wind and hydro systems, passive solar design, water development, gardening and composting were introduced in these early intensive lecture and hands-on workshops. Classes took place on a nearby homestead where students lived, ate and learned together, creating close and lasting bonds among participants. Tours of local energy-independent homes added interest and first-hand knowledge to the class experience.
  
  In 1996, the workshop program was revamped to offer one-day classes covering a variety of topics. Subjects such as “Realizing the Dream – Planning and Buying the Perfect Country Property,” “Straw Bale Construction,” “Sustainable Building and Eco-Design,” and “Planning and Building Your Solar Electric System” became the most popular of many classes offered. By 1999, under the stewardship of the newly formed Solar Living Institute, workshop offerings had expanded to 25 classes held March through October. Some classes expanded to a full weekend of lecture and hands-on training with the how-tos of renewable energy systems and a host of natural building options proving to be all time favorites. Cob, rammed earth, and straw bale construction continued to pique the interest of students looking for alternatives to a conventional lifestyle. In 2000, in response to the California energy crisis, 223 students attended classes. In 2001, student attendance more than doubled over the year before with 552 students attending workshops. In 2002, attendance jumped again to 770 students. In 2003, there were over 1,000 students, and class offerings continued to expand. That year, with a grant from the California Energy Commission, the Institute provided 22 solar installer training workshops throughout the state of California. The program continues to grow, with enrollment in 2007 projected at close to 2000 students!
  
  In 2006, we held our first of what promises to be many green career conferences. All of our new Solar Boot Camps for Beginners and Professionals sold out , as did many of our other workshops. We expect the demand for our workshops to remain high for years to come as people continue to realize the importance of changing their lives to more sustainable practices.
  
  At the Solar Living Center, workshop students have built a cob pump house, our greenhouse and garden shed, a solar hot water system for the dearly departed intern dome, rammed earth and cob garden structures, stone compost bins, several demonstration straw bale and hybrid natural buildings, an herb garden, a Unisolar photovoltaic installation, and more.

• SolFest – In 1996, the first SolFest marked the grand opening of the Solar Living Center in Hopland, California. SolFest became part of the Solar Living Institute in 1998 when our organization was founded. SolFest is the premier renewable energy event in the western United States. The primary goal of SolFest is to enhance the mission of the Solar Living Institute, by inspiring people to take action on their environmental concerns. Since the first SolFest in 1996, over 80,000 people have participated.
  
  SolFest features speakers like Jim Hightower and Amy Goodman, entertainment including Bruce Cockburn and David Grisman, over 60 educational workshops and over 150 exhibitor booths with renewable energy and earth-friendly products, and some of the best nationally renowned speaker and musical acts each August.

• Solar Living Center – The Institute manages the Solar Living Center, a 12-acre renewable energy and sustainable living demonstration site that is visited by 200,000 people annually. The Institute also offers a unique and highly competitive year-round intern program for 20-25 people.

• Solar 2000 – The Institute is home to Solar 2000, one of northern California's largest solar arrays providing 160,000 kWh of clean renewable energy annually. Solar 2000 was conceived, designed and built in eight weeks and was a joint project of Real Goods, GPU Solar, Green Mountain Energy, and the Solar Living Institute. It is now owned by the Solar Living Institute generating monthly revenue for our organization.
  
  The array cost $750,000 to build and received $430,000 in California energy rebates. It is made from 1,200 individual 110-watt solar electric modules with a total of 43,000 single crystal silicon cells. This clean-energy array displaces 1,600 tons each year of carbon dioxide emissions and generates 132kW, or 160,000kWh per year, of clean renewable energy. It sits on one-third of an acre, creates no pollution, is nearly maintenance free and has a lifespan of over 50 years.

• Organic Farm – The organic farm was started in May 2003 to create a model for public education by showing a synergistic and pragmatic integration of food, water, landscape, and shelter in ways that are energy efficient and enhance the surrounding environment to create a regenerative and sustainable system.
  
  The farm currently includes 4,400 square feet on the north end of the property adjacent to Feliz Creek. Manure is provided free by the Anderson Valley Brewery and seeds are donated by Synergy Seeds. The farm is irrigated by a solar pump that moves water from a pond to the farm on the facility. Produce is sold seasonally at a farm stand on site. Produce and sales from the produce help feed interns.
  
  In addition to the farm, an organic “kitchen garden” located near the greenhouse on site, as well as our many food-producing trees and shrubs help feed our interns.
  

• Biodiesel Fueling Station – The biodiesel fueling station was added in September 2003 to show the importance of alternative fuels as a means of decreasing dependence on fossil fuels. The fueling station is being donated to the Institute by Yokayo Biofuels in Ukiah, California. Stop by seven days a week to 'grease up' your diesel vehicle.