The zine: Natural Home is AMAZING. I love it, mucho.
They often feature Green architects and DYI projects to green your home if remodeling!
http://www.naturalhomemagazine.com/
~ Susanna 
www.BoutiqueOrganica.comCertified Organic Shopping.
Your Organic Future: Click Here
My daughter is studying architecture and is very interested in going into green architecture when she graduates. I'll definitely get her a subscription to this magazine.
Thanks for the suggestion!
On the thread of green architecture, I'm currently researching solar panel donations for non-profits undergoing capital campaigns/building renovations. Since non-profits tend to be on a tight budget already and are not eligible for the regular incentive rates and tax rebate programs available to for-profit companies (please correct me if I am wrong), these organizations have to get creative with both their fundraising and installation plans.
Recently, PG&E donated solar panels to two Bay Area non-profit organizations: SF's LEsbian Gay Biseual Transgender Community Center (sf business times, 12/14/2007) and Project Open Hand (a $200,000 investment to instal a solar photovaltaic and solar thermal sytem producing zero greenhouse gas emissions). A smaller arts organization in Berkeley, Shotgun Players, recently joined the East Oakland Community Project to form a for-profit limited liability corporation (LLC) and received a $200,000 initial investment. Each of the other groups involved with the community project, interested in installing solar panels, then had to raise 35% of the total solar project cost.
With the help of straight donations and LLC partnerships, non-profits, community housing and affordable housing organizations are more likely able to participate in greener living. However, prices, options and available donations still is a bit cloudy and confusing to a less-trained, new-to-green, eye.
So I throw out the the huddler world a few questions:
1. What would the total cost be for solar panel installation on a 25,000 sq ft roof?
2. What is the difference between Expected Performance Based Buydown (EPBB) and Performance Based Incentives (PBI) offered by PG&E? http://www.pge.com/about_us/environment/solar/CSI_Incentives.html
3. Any other brilliant solar fundraising ideas?
On the thread of green architecture, I'm currently researching solar panel donations for non-profits undergoing capital campaigns/building renovations. Since non-profits tend to be on a tight budget already and are not eligible for the regular incentive rates and tax rebate programs available to for-profit companies (please correct me if I am wrong), these organizations have to get creative with both their fundraising and installation plans.
Recently, PG&E donated solar panels to two Bay Area non-profit organizations: SF's LEsbian Gay Biseual Transgender Community Center (sf business times, 12/14/2007) and Project Open Hand (a $200,000 investment to instal a solar photovaltaic and solar thermal sytem producing zero greenhouse gas emissions). A smaller arts organization in Berkeley, Shotgun Players, recently joined the East Oakland Community Project to form a for-profit limited liability corporation (LLC) and received a $200,000 initial investment. Each of the other groups involved with the community project, interested in installing solar panels, then had to raise 35% of the total solar project cost.
With the help of straight donations and LLC partnerships, non-profits, community housing and affordable housing organizations are more likely able to participate in greener living. However, prices, options and available donations still is a bit cloudy and confusing to a less-trained, new-to-green, eye.
So I throw out the the huddler world a few questions:
1. What would the total cost be for solar panel installation on a 25,000 sq ft roof?
2. What is the difference between Expected Performance Based Buydown (EPBB) and Performance Based Incentives (PBI) offered by PG&E? http://www.pge.com/about_us/environment/solar/CSI_Incentives.html
3. Any other brilliant solar fundraising ideas?
Hi Jessg,
I am with a solar company based out of Los Angeles...thanks for the interesting post. Solar Power can be so confusing to buy since it really a complicated purchase and there is so much paperwork involved to get the rebates. Luckly non-profits in CA can qualify of the CA State Solar Rebate although be warned to maximize on this rebate try to get your solar power system by the end of this year since the CA Rebate is going to drop one more time at the end of this year. You have some excellent questions!
Q: What would the total cost be for solar panel installation on a 25,000 sq ft roof?
A: It depends not based on how many square feet your roof is but how much kWh of electricity you use per month and your energy goals. Is the purpose of the solar power system to reduce your bill, completely eliminate your bill or just reduce your peak time usage? Start off by looking at the last 12months of PG&E bills and nail down your usage first. Its not always cost effective to reduce your bill completely, sometimes its more cost effective to just reduce your peak time usage. The great aspect about Solar Power, is the systems are scable, therefore you can add onto your system as your needs change. Some people choose to start with a small system then scale it up over time to meet their entire energy needs. I would need more information about your project, take a look at your project site and understand the goals of your ideal solar power system before I can throw out a price.
Q: What is the difference between Expected Performance Based Buydown (EPBB) and Performance Based Incentives (PBI) offered by PG&E?
A: Expected Performance Based Buydown (EPBB) - an upfront rebate program funded as part of the CSI. Only systems smaller than 100kW are eligible for this rebate. Rebates are based on system size, geographic location, orientation and rebate level at time of application.
Performance Based Incentive (PBI) - a program where rebates are paid based on energy production, designed to benefit owners of larger solar power systems The current PBI program in California pays system owners monthly for energy produced for 5years. Rebate levels decline as participation milestones are reached.
Q. Any other brilliant solar fundraising ideas?
A: Well I dont have anything "brilliant" to suggest just common sense. Check with your local city representatives to see if they are giving out any grants for entities in their district to go solar. You can hold fundrasiers and possibly create a website with information about your non-profit and its solar project with a "donate now" paypal button, which will enable you to start promoting and collecting donations from anyone all over the world for your cause. I would really market the project to the local community it will benefit and try to raise money from the citizens of the city since they will be ones who will directly benefit. Just my two cents....
I hope this helps!
-Deep Patel
thanks so much, this will be a major help!
