Would you believe me if I told you that the average carbon footprint for a person in the United States is one of the highest global rates at 16 tons? This is heavier than the weight of a fully grown whale shark, equating to about 32,000 pounds. Our carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gasses generated by our individual actions, and it is negatively impacting the atmospheric and ecological conditions on earth.
SolSolutions recognizes that reducing the carbon footprint of energy consumers is a key goal within the sustainability movement. One way that SolSolutions is addressing the above-average footprint in the United States is by providing innovative portable solar power devices. These devices are designed to perform independently from the grid, in turn contributing to the lowering of total carbon emissions. SolSolutions is also committed to reinforcing the concept of personal empowerment and social responsibility, and upholds these values by supplying affordable and readily-available personal solar services.
Similarly to the NorCal Resilience Network, SolSolutions actively engages in tackling global problems with localized solutions. Access to clean energy is especially important for vulnerable communities in the midst of rapidly spreading wildfires that are exacerbated by climate-change. Specializing in affordable and accessible off-grid solar power and LED lighting, SolSolutions addresses the importance in collectively shifting away from fossil fuels and adopting new, local alternative energy solutions.
Increasing power outages and rising energy costs are causing an increase in demand for alternative energy systems that are separate from the grid. SolSolutions on-site solar power production product line, the SolMan Generator, contributes to an increase in reliability, accessibility, and affordability of portable solar products. In contrast to a gas generator, the SolMan generator uses solar power to store collected energy into a battery bank. Benefits of these portable generators include the ability to perform cleanly and quietly, their endurance for heavy and long-term usage, and zero recurring costs with no fuel or engine maintenance. With four types of generators available to choose from, this product line is a great option for households or businesses that require a wide variety of energy-related needs to be met.
LED lighting offers a highly-efficient and environmentally friendly solution to traditional incandescent lighting systems. LED lighting is a cost-effective alternative to traditional lighting, using less than 75% of the energy required to power incandescent bulbs. SolSolutions also offers a special Emerald Grow LED Light system, specifically developed for extending the greenhouse season for growing vegetation. This is an excellent option for households and farms whose livelihoods depend on growing their own food.
In addition to innovative green technology, SolSolutions offers Sustainable Event Services. Sustainable Event Services offers a wide range of options to lower any business or organizations carbon footprint at a public or private event. Specific services offered for event partners include electric transportation methods, zero waste services, and sufficient generation of solar power for live stage events and vendor areas. This event service even offers a free consultation, so that the partnering organization knows exactly how much energy will be saved, and what type of generator or lighting system will be the most cost-effective.
Energy is an integral part of our survival. Without energy, we wouldn’t be able to cook for our families, keep our homes warm during the harshest Winter months, or even jump into the air with joy. We live in a culture dominated by the consumption of fossil fuels as our primary source of energy, in turn leaving a hefty price tag for energy consumers.
People Power Solar Cooperative, a community-led nonprofit and collaborator with NorCal Resilience Network, places inclusiveness, equity, and accessible clean energy at the center of their work culture. Crystal Huang, founder of People Power, brought community members together in an effort to address the question “How do we put power back into the hands of the people?”, ultimately inspiring the team to design the Community Backup Power project.
The project aims to provide a backup source of energy for households in need of electricity during power outages. When in need of power, individuals can contact People Power and members of the team will work together to deliver a fully-charged battery that is ready to use. The project introduces an alternative power source that is readily available for households struggling during an emergency outage, upholding the Cooperative’s mission to approach social justice issues with an inclusive, community-led and owned support system.
“Energy is your relationship with the world. One of the biggest challenges is encouraging people to repair that relationship.”
Crystal Huang, Founder of People Power Solar Cooperative
The project is a great opportunity to invest in improving disaster preparedness and in-home resiliency in our communities. Minority communities are hit the hardest by volatile energy prices and unreliability of the grid, meaning that when the power unexpectedly goes out, these households are unequally left with both adverse impacts on health and financial consequences. This ultimately hinders their ability to access energy as a basic need for survival. The Cooperative’s backup power project invites individuals to consider the reality of the injustices low-income families must face on a daily basis, and how individuals can work together to collectively bring about change.
In addition, strengthening “Energy Democracy” is a priority for the Cooperative, meaning that power is redistributed back to the people through a renewable and just transition. If society collectively continues to engage in and educate others on the importance of community-led solutions, then we can actively apply these realized concepts to bringing about a positive change for vulnerable communities.
“People are solving problems in default mode, and applying these problems to a system of markets. Markets don’t care about people, groups or individuals.”
Kansas Heaney, Engineer and Member of People Power Solar Cooperative
Kansas Heaney explains the importance of setting up a community-led work dynamic when the project was in its first stages of development. Ensuring that community members and team members in the Cooperative maintain a sense of ownership is an integral part of the project’s mission, meaning that the key decision making is left to the people, rather than the market economy. The Cooperative develops inclusive solutions that empower the people, rather than solving problems for a market system that relies on a fossil fuel economy.
In addition, the Cooperative also received a Community Innovation Grant that will allow them to analyze and participate in East Bay Energy’s Resilient Home Program, which aims to strengthen families in the household and improve the standard of living in underserved communities. People Power also has future plans to implement projects in East Oakland, collaborating with local leaders and organizations to provide legal and technical support for solar development in the area. Ingleside Community Power also partners with the Cooperative, and the organizations are currently in the early stages of developing a new model for empowering community solar ownership.
