Update from Everybody Solar

We, at Everybody Solar, work to provide solar energy to do-gooders – aka other non-profits that help their communities. It’s an honor to have been selected as Foundation Beyond Belief’s Natural World Beneficiary during the 3rd quarter of 2016.  With the support of organizations like Foundation Beyond Belief – and the many inspiring humanists behind it – we are looking forward to increasing our impact in 2017 for great local non-profits. We are dedicated to doing our collective part in addressing what may be the greatest threat humanity faces today.

With climate change deniers set to lead the EPA and head the House of Representatives’ Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, it is more important than ever that we help move our society away from a fossil-fuel-based economy as quickly as possible.

Climate scientists have warned us for decades now that climate-warming trends over the past century are extremely likely a result of human activity.The possibility of a runaway greenhouse effect suggests that we have to be careful: Even a one or two-degree rise in the global temperature can have catastrophic consequences. It is disturbing that here in 2016 we are still in a place where the threat is dismissed and questioned by political leaders.

Many people cannot install solar panels at their own home. However, most people can give a few dollars towards installing solar panels on a homeless shelter, nature conservatory or science museum. This is why Everybody Solar exists. We see ourselves as a facilitator helping our supporters deploy more solar energy production into the world while simultaneously helping local non-profits reduce operation costs. By providing solar power to local charities we help them reduce electricity costs and direct their limited resources to the communities they serve.

This past year we finished two phenomenal projects. The first was in support of the Sciencenter in Ithaca, New York through the installation of a 15 kW solar energy array. Bringing solar power to the Sciencenter, we are helping them expand their educational programs in the community. The solar system will also serve as a key component of a new educational gallery being built by the Sciencenter to empower guests to engage in sustainable practices in their daily lives. The system is projected to save the Sciencenter over $1,700 annually and offset 15,000 pounds of CO2 per year, or the equivalent of planting 180 trees.

Our second project was for Committee on the Shelterless (COTS). COTS provides life-saving shelter and transformative programs to families, children, and adults in Sonoma County, California. To best meet their needs, Everybody Solar is doing a two part project for COTS. The first leg was finalized this November and offered the installation for their headquarters, the Mary Isaak Center site, helping them continue to break the cycle of homelessness for children and families with the help of a 19.5 kW solar energy system!

Currently, we are still fundraising for the second portion of the project, having raised a little over $7,500 of the $30,250 needed to complete this 8 kW project. Ultimately, the project will help COTS reduce their carbon footprint by 14,000 pounds of CO2 per year, and re-direct more of their limited funds towards helping homeless families by cutting over $11,000 per year from their electric bills.

We aim to do our part and empower everyone who wants to do more to
combat climate change, spread the adoption of solar energy, and improve our communities by giving the gift of solar energy to organizations that need it most: non-profits on the front lines, serving our most vulnerable populations. By eliminating electricity costs for non-profits we help them maximize their direct impact on  their causes while helping their communities move closer to a sustainable future where the stability of our climate is not threatened by our industrial past.

Everybody Solar received a $8000 grant from Foundation Beyond Belief.