Habitat for Humanity is turning one Oakland brownfield into several green homes as part of its ongoing East Bay Project. With help from Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and a slew of volunteers, Habitat is building a 54-home development of affordable housing for low-income homeowners. The development site, a former battery salvage yard, was labeled a “blighted property” by the EPA and California’s Department of Toxic Substances.

Yet that did not stop Habitat For Humanity. Roughly 300,000 cubic yards of soil had to be removed and replaced, but you can bet the effort will be worth it for the new residents of Edes Avenue. (more…)

There’s a charity out there bringing solar electricity to countries in need. That organization is the Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF) and they’re making waves the world over. Let’s talk about what they do and how they do it.

SELF is dedicated to creating a long-lasting and renewable life for the third world through agricultural innovation and modernization. They provide solar electricity for residential, business, health care and telecommunications use, including solar-powered drip irrigation for rural farmers. They do this by creating lasting relationships between both “for-profit” and nonprofit groups, as well as local governments. SELF focuses mainly on the solar aspect of things and has been at it for 18 years with a proven track record. SELF also helps by being the advocate for those who are underprivileged and uneducated. They train locals residents to become solar installers.

Local residents unloading their new power plant: solar panels.

“SELF believes that energy is a human right. To meet global challenges, such as food and water scarcity, climate change and poverty, SELF is working to assign greater priority to theimportance of sustainable energy among international development banks, aid agencies, foundations, and philanthropic individuals, who are committed to improving the health, education, and economic prospects of the world’s poorest citizens.”  This quote comes from SELF’s mission page and really, who can argue with it? This is the wonderful thing about solar energy – it could actually help reduce the amount of globally crippling energy barons that we are all so familiar with (and if we’re not, our wallets are). (more…)

Government incentives are great and all, but solar is still ridiculously unaffordable.  A company called Helio mU (micro utility) is doing something to change that. 

Helio charges zero cash up-front to lease a solar system. The company assesses your home and installs the correct system to meet your needs. And what’s more,  they sell you the solar electricity at a “below average” cost – about 5% below standard utility rates. But what if you want to eventually own your own system?  Helio mU will offer to sell it to the consumer after five yearsof use. (more…)