John Schaeffer: Biography of a Renewable Energy Visionary

John Schaeffer has been exploring renewable energy and sustainable living since graduating from UC Berkeley in 1971.

While living on a 300-acre commune in Mendocino County, California, after college, John found himself hosting crowds around his solar-powered TV whenever Saturday Night Live came on. He started selling solar power supplies and back-to-the-land living necessities to his neighbors, and Real Goods was born. Now Gaiam Real Goods after a merger with Gaiam in 2001, the 30-year-old company has grown into the foremost global source for tools and information on renewable energy and sustainable living.

In 1995 John helped create the Solar Living Center in Hopland, California, a stunning 12-acre environmental educational center surrounded by lush permaculture gardens. He founded and remains Board Chair of the educational nonprofit Solar Living Institute, dedicated to promoting renewable energy and sustainable living through inspiring educational programs. The Institute produces and hosts the annual SolFest solar energy festival that attracts more than 10,000 people, and offers hands-on workshops and interships throughout the year.

John lives a few miles from the Solar Living Center with his wife Nancy Hensley (pictured above with John on the deck of their home) in a passive-solar Rastra-block home they named Sunhawk, built mostly from recycled materials amid a permaculture oasis powered by solar and hydro-electric. From his living room at Sunhawk, John shares more of his story in our video clip From Hippie to Green-Living Guru: The Sun Lighted John Schaeffer's Way.

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Community Voice

hello all,

UrjaGhar Power Solutions (UGPS) is a professional and dynamic organization working for Design & Development, manufacturing, marketing and integration of renewable energy systems specially Solar Photovoltaic and Solar Heating Systems.

Since inception in 1993 UGPS has sought to promote the use of renewable energy technologies in INDIA that contribute to improving the environmental economic and social welfare of society at large. Our principle strategy for achieving this goal has been to build a word class business organization that can demonstrate the economic and financial viability of renewable energy projects and development programs. By building a worldwide portfolio of successful renewable energy products & projects and large base of satisfied solar energy users, UGPS is a leading force in the global transition to renewable energy sources.

Our strategy is to move renewable energy and energy products & technologies into new market niches, thereby helping to create worldwide demand for sustainable energy programmes and policies. UGPS is a 'Solution based' enterprise, providing a complete set of technical, hardware and programmatic services to clients. While maintaining its historic role as a renewable energy system manufacturer and integrator, UGPS is evolving to become a comprehensive renewable energy services firm, active in commercializing technologies, developing market programmes and delivering state-of-the-art hardware and services.

Key to our business strategy is the development of partnership with Government agencies, utilities, manufacturers and environmental organizations. These alliances are designed to increase the public awareness of renewable energy options and to demonstrate the economic and environmental benefits that renewable energy systems can deliver.

Mail : info@urjaghar.com
Web:www.urjaghar.com


	urjaghar, May 7, 2008 4:42:17 AM

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