Occupy Your Rooftop on Community Solar Day

November 5th, 2011 by Zachary Shahan

Yes, the Occupy movement has officially spread to the solar power movement, as it rightfully should. Big business has too much control over our energy policy, our energy habits, our climate, and our communities. It is stalling governmental clean energy action. However, everyone can vote with their money and we can “democratize” our electricity system more by installing solar power on our roofs (if we have them).

Community Solar Day, November 20, is the day you could join the movement to get a large portion of our electricity from rooftop solar power.

And, remember, the return on investment (ROI) from putting solar on your roof probably creams the ROI of keeping your money in a savings account or investing it on the stock market.

“As the protesters leading the Occupy Wall Street movement decry the big banks that crashed the economy, robo-foreclose people’s homes and continue to finance mega fossil fuel projects like the Tar Sands, community solar represents one path forward: clean energy created for and by the people,” the folks at Solar Mosaic on its Solar Day page.

“Community solar projects are taking the first steps toward a future where people can move their money out of low-yield savings accounts and into safe and high-yield solar investments that lower carbon emissions and create green jobs and local prosperity.”

Where Will You Be on Community Solar Day?

Solar Mosaic has a map where you can sign up and show that you are going solar on November 20 (also available at meetup.com). You can also add a picture or more of your solar installation to help inspire others.

Activist group Power Shift (as well as numerous others) is also pushing involvement in the day. Lisa Curtis of Power Shift writes:

“Since most of us agree that we support solar to create jobs and reduce reliance on fossil fuels–why not bring those benefits to our own communities by starting a community solar project? On November 20th, I plan to hold a potluck at my church where quite a few church members have expressed interest in going solar. On November 20th, where will you occupy???”

So, will you join in?

Community Solar Day image via meetup.com

Keep up to date with all the hottest cleantech news by subscribing to our (free) cleantech newsletter, or keep an eye on sector-specific news by getting our (also free) solar energy newsletter, electric vehicle newsletter, or wind energy newsletter.

Tags: Activism, community solar day, go solar, power shift, solar activism, solar mosaic

About the Author

Zachary Shahan spends most of his time here on CleanTechnica as the director/chief editor. Otherwise, he's probably enthusiastically fulfilling his duties as the director/editor of Solar Love, EV Obsession, Planetsave, or Bikocity. Zach is recognized globally as a solar energy, electric car, and wind energy expert. If you would like him to speak at a related conference or event, connect with him via social media. You can connect with Zach on any popular social networking site you like. Links to all of his main social media profiles are on ZacharyShahan.com.

Pingback: Community Solar Day (Reminder) | CleanTechnica
Paul Felix Schott

I am Counting on

Energy From GOD Our Sun Free Energy. Very good our churches installing solar panels. For all that live near by and all that see this on our Churches. If your Local Government will not look to the Future go to a Church.

The Island of Maui in the Pacific Ocean is truly a Tropical Paradise like many of the Hawaii Islands that has used Solar and wind Energy for many years. Its Seascapes are as Beautiful as its Landscapes. Many like Hana’s by Kipahulu in Maui were the coffee maker runs on the Sun Solar Power. Her freshly picked Tropical fruit smoothies are the greatest. You make the electrical power on a bicycle for the blender to run. Banana, Mango, Papaya, Guava and of course My favorite Coconut and Pineapple are just some of what you can make.

Many of us that live and visit Maui already have Solar and Wind Energy. Very soon many more will and some day most all will be cutting the line to the Power Utilities Grid. Stopping them from putting their hands in our pocket book.

Free Energy from the Sun. WHY pay for it, to some one else? Your Local Utility Provider is NOT A valuable resource in Your Time Of Financial Need. Or the GOV they just want to TAX you more. LOOK TO SOLAR AND WIND ENERGY on the internet it has been the learning platform for our Schools and Universities for Years. In this case look to the House of GOD. It has always been the best place for the truth. The Church and the Bible.

Many in the Island of Maui and other Islands have been off the Grid for years.

There are many Reasons Home Owners Should Consider Going Solar there has to be at least 100 Good Reasons. Soon Hawaii will Lead with showcasing Solar Energy To the World.

GOD Bless for the good work all do to Help the Church Light the Way.

Now if we can only get our World Leaders to Read the Bible More, and look to the real Paradise Heaven not Hell, and stay out of our Pocket books.

The Lord’s little Helper

Paul Felix Schott
http://www.solarpanelhosting.com Joy Hughes

The community renewable movement is quite diverse and includes many different models. Good places to look include:

The Community Power Network http://www.communitypowernetwo…

The Solar Gardens Institute http://solargardens.org

Tangerine Power http://www.tangerinepower.com

You’ll see a variety of project types emerging around the world!
Source: Clean Technica (http://s.tt/13MGA)
Pingback: Solar Mosaic Follow-Up | CleanTechnica
Pingback: Community Solar Day: Occupy Your Rooftop! | Planetsave