Solarthon 2009 - Event Details

SOLARTHON 2009 will be held on Saturday, September 12th, 2009 from 8:30 to 4:30 at Habitat for Humanity East Bay's Edes Avenue development in the Sobrante Park neighborhood of Oakland. GRID Alternatives will be leading individual and corporate work crews to install solar for 16 low-income families. Several of these families will will be working alongside Solarthon event participants to provide "sweat equity" as they help install their solar electric systems.

Food, drink, water and all tools will be provided. No technical skills or previous experience are required to participate in this event - the only requirement is that individual fundraisers raise a minimum of $250 to support GRID Alternatives' work bringing renewable energy to communities in need throughout California. Corporate sponsorship opportunities are also available.

Participants who have not previously completed one of our mandatory volunteer trainings in the past need to attend one of our trainings prior to the event, which provide an overview of how solar energy works, how it is installed, and the safety protocols that we follow. Solarthon participants can attend one of our pre-event trainings on Monday, August 10th from 6-9pm or on Saturday August 22nd from 9:30-12pm at GRID Alternatives' offices in North Oakland near the MacArthur BART station - see Contact Us for a map and directions. Refreshments will be provided.

Participants will have the opportunity to participate in installation activities both on the ground and on the roofs of the homes if they so choose. All roof activities are fully supervised by experienced professionals, and roof participants will wear safety harnesses at all times.

Click here to sign up to participate! If you have additional questions, contact Tracie Troxler at ttroxler@gridalternatives.org or (510) 550-8535 X316.