Solarthon is GRID Alternatives' annual solar installation block party and fundraiser. Every year we bring together hundreds of individual and corporate participants to install solar for several homes in one day, in partnership with local low-income homeowners. This year we're hard at work planning Solarthon events around the state!

Our first event on the calendar is our Greater Los Angeles Solarthon on Saturday, June 12th in the City of Piru. You can sign up online to be an individual participant or click on the links to download the individual flyer and application or corporate sponsorship materials. Contact Kevin Smith at volunteergla@gridalternatives.org or (310) 324-8146 X306 for more information about corporate sponsorship and individual participation opportunities.

Our 5th Annual Bay Area Solarthon is scheduled for Saturday, July 31st in West Oakland. Contact Van Shu at vshu@gridalternatives.org or (510) 652-4730 X335 for more information. 

Our first Central Valley Solarthon will be held on Saturday, October 2nd in Fresno. Contact Tom Esqueda at tesqueda@gridalternatives.org or (559) 261-4743 for more informatio.

If you sign up as an individual participant you will receive a confirmation email and information to get you started with your fundraising efforts. This will include a list of easy fundraising activities, instructions on how to set up a personal fundraising page with Firstgiving.com, a customizable personal fundraising letter and a "Sponsor Me" form that you can use to recruit more donors.

Solarthon 2009 was our biggest event ever! We installed 16 solar electric systems that will generate over $270,000 worth of clean, renewable power for low-income families over their lifespans. The event sold out early and raised over $100,000 to help bring the benefits of solar to more low-income families throughout California. A special thanks to our corporate sponsors, PG&E, Salesforce.com, Google, CleanTechies.com, Walmart, WorldCentric, IBEW Local 595, Recurrent Energy, Atomic PR, Renewable Ventures, Accenture, and Seguin Woodworks. You can check out photos of the event on PicasaWeb, or watch video of the event below:

Solarthon 2009 - Grid Alternatives from RND Creative on Vimeo.