Community | March 31, 2009 | 16 comments

1BOG.org: Cooperative solar empowerment

source: http://greenairradio.com/?p=1365

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Greenpointer
Want solar but can’t afford it? How about getting your neighbors to help pay for it?

If plugging into solar panels were easy and cheap, we’d all be doing it. The reality is that it can be costly and confusing which leads to a lot of nervous consumers and a scarcity of solar.

One company sees the solution and is using the concept of for-profit activism to put solar power in the hands of just about anyone who’s interested. They’re called One Block Off the Grid or 1BOG.org and they organize buying syndicates to provide bulk discounts on equipment and installation.

Dave Llorens, Co-Founder and General Manager of 1BOG.org.

We put people in a big group and negotiate discounts. On top of that we’ve negotiated a financing partnership with SunRun so we have a way for people to get solar energy possibly for as little as $1000.

If you’re a renter, fear not! You can still let 1BOG know you’re interested and once a critical mass is assembled, they’ll make it possible your landlord and local legislators to get your block off the grid.

For more on solar and the full interview with Dave Llorens, check out the links below and click here.

SunRun teams with Virgance to finance solar for consumers (Venture Beat)

Evolution Solar comments on sharp increase in solar stocks (Fox Business)

Solar Energy News (Science Daily)

Photo by intrepedacious.
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16 comments // 1BOG.org: Cooperative solar empowerment

  • WisconsinNorm
    • 0
      WisconsinNorm  

    • We just did the calculation of gasoline savings after investing in a Toyota Prius versus non-chasing around in a "company repair truck" for six months...

      One vehicle "exchange" saved 200 gallons of gasoline in that time period.

      One car, one company, one purpose...now did we really save anything? They did have to make the car...Is there any hope?

    • 3 years ago
  • Greenpointer
    • 0
      Greenpointer  
    • WisconsinNorm:

      According to my calculations, the average gas price in Wisconsin is $2.10 x 200 = $420.00 every six months of carbon negative savings. That's $840/year. Those 200 gallons of unused gas multiplied by the 50 miles per gallon a Prius gets kept 1.75 tons of carbon dioxide out of the air. This may not be much consolation but a Prius costs around $35,166 on average which means you'll have paid for the car in gas savings, without calculating inflation, by 2049. By then, gas will cost $6.09.

    • 3 years ago
  • WisconsinNorm
    • 0
      WisconsinNorm  
    • WisconsinNorm:

      OK, I hope my Prius lasts until 2049...Unfortunately, the vehicle has depreciated about $6,000.00 since the study started. I guess my major point is "real cost" and who can "afford" to reduce gasoline consumption--

      Shedding our dependence on cars seems to be the only long term solution. This is going to be an expensive short term war.

      We be try'n...

    • 3 years ago
  • Olfard101
    • 0
      Olfard101  

    • This is good. Are you aware of the gentleman in Chicago who has a turbine system that looks a bit like a DNA stream. Works in cities especially with many buildings that constantly changes direction and speeds. Is also out of the box consideration to be used undersea as well(my thought)

    • 3 years ago
  • Greenpointer
  • WisconsinNorm
    • 0
      WisconsinNorm  
    • Olfard101:

      There is another similar "water turbine" fan to the one you described for wind that may be difficult for me to convey to you. From the top, it looks like two flattened (solid figure eightish) baseball skins positioned to each other as if they rotated as proximal gears, they never touch but come quite close...Then make each shape an extrusion, then take that extrusion and give it a twist...Clear as mud correct?

      They actually use this opposing system in some industrial compressors--on one side you draw air in, on the other you have compressed air--almost artistic when you see the two working in unison out of its housing.

      Take those two almost kissing shapes, put rotation permissive axles through both of them, place them into a tidal/current situation, connect to a generator and POWER!

      Just don't get sucked into it, you would come out a mile long noodle. With a slight undulation. Actually you would be out in one rotation, but it would not be pretty.

    • 3 years ago
  • gentjim
  • bluestranger
    • 0
      bluestranger  

    • It looks so obvious and simple. But this is the first I've heard of any kind of renewable energy co-op. Buying in volume will make the price of anything go down. Thanks for the tip GP.

    • 3 years ago
  • darkhorsejim
    • 0
      darkhorsejim  

    • Alternative & renewable energy generated from the elements surrounding us will work best on a smaller, local level to gain momentum & supporters. This will minimize the risk of too many homes losing power for an extended period of time. Our aging electric grids continue to fail under easily anticipated conditions – weather – leaving thousands if not millions in the dark for weeks sometimes.

    • 3 years ago
  • nursediesel
  • WisconsinNorm
    • 0
      WisconsinNorm  
    • nursediesel:

      There is a wind farm near Rochelle, Illinois. To go by it and see that silent power being "effortlessly" generated is stunning. I only hope birds instinctively figure out fan blade avoidance better than they avoid tower support wiring and optical/wind problems when by-passing skyscrapers.

      If wind isn't a Pennsylvania thing,so be it. There is plenty of wind in the midwest. PA gave us coal when we needed it and helped make us the country we are, now it is time for the "non-coal states" to step up to the plate and help you.

    • 3 years ago
  • WisconsinNorm
    • 0
      WisconsinNorm  

    • Too much haggling going on...Wind, water, solar, currents geo-thermal...I say "Just do It" (Catchy, I wonder if anybody is using it)

      My bets are on wind.

    • 3 years ago
  • nursediesel
    • 0
      nursediesel  
    • WisconsinNorm:

      Thank you for your reply and concern. The problem has to do with the ability to generate power at a low level of wind speed, and regulations. Yes, people here fought the windmills, and fought against the number that can run at a given time for the birds sake.
      I for one think the line of sleek white windmills are beautiful as they follow the hills and dales in Pa.
      I'd put one on my house if the town would let me.

    • 3 years ago
  • Greenpointer
    • 0
      Greenpointer  
    • WisconsinNorm:

      Indeed, thank you, as always, for your pertinent and AWESOME replies.

      Stay tuned for an interview I had with an angus beef farmer who can't seem to make the wind turbine he installed "pencil"... yet.

      If I had to put money on one renewable technology over another, it probably would be solar as it's a solid state thing with no moving parts to wear down. As long as the sun still rises and falls, those silicon cells will keep pumping volts.

    • 3 years ago
  • Greenpointer
  • Greenpointer
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