One Block Off The Grid (1BOG) and groSolar spread green-collar cheer

SAN FRANCISCO, USA: One Block Off The Grid (1BOG), the nation's largest solar group purchasing company, announced the extension of the current Bay Area 1BOG campaign to coincide with a pilot green jobs partnership.

Together with groSolar and local nonprofit Solar Richmond, through January 31, 1BOG is offering members who purchase solar a unique opportunity to sponsor a green-collar worker. The current Bay Area 1BOG solar campaign has been extended through January 2010 to support this pilot program with a special reduced rate of $5.53 per watt from installer partner groSolar.

Bay Area 1BOG members will now have a unique opportunity to support a graduate of Solar Richmond's green-collar jobs training program. The opt-in program will provide green-collar graduates with two days of hands-on training, assisting groSolar's expert crew with 1BOG solar installations. To participate, members pay a small, tax-deductible donation of $112, which both 1BOG and groSolar match.

1BOG, a subsidiary of Virgance, is rooted in social responsibility. Through 1BOG's proven model of harnessing community action to accelerate adoption of renewable energy, this green-collar pilot program aims to rapidly improve local employment rates, boost the region's economy and further solidify the Bay Area's environmental leadership position.

"Supporting green-collar job programs is a natural way for 1BOG to integrate philanthropy and community activism into our business model," said Dave Llorens, Co-Founder and General Manager at 1BOG. "By extending the Bay Area campaign and significantly reducing the group discount prices, 1BOG and groSolar can add value through solar for Bay Area homeowners as well as the broader community. We're excited to see the impact we can create through applying 1BOG's proven model for improving residential solar adoption to empower disadvantaged communities."

"groSolar's mission is all about building the green economy and a clean-energy future," said groSolar CEO Jeff Wolfe. "This partnership is a fantastic example of how the solar industry and community-based non-profits can work together to make the green economy a reality, while also developing the local workforce."

"We are giving solar customers the opportunity to create environmental and social value," said Michele McGeoy, Founder and Executive Director of Solar Richmond. "By partnering with 1BOG and groSolar, we are excited to be a part of 1BOG's community model in order to raise awareness of the importance of green-collar jobs as a way to increase economic opportunity."

San Francisco residents can sign up for the current 1BOG campaign, now extended to run through January 31, 2010. With groSolar as the installer, customers can take advantage of the partnership with Solar Richmond and promote green economic development. Customers can currently purchase solar for $5.53/watt.