RE-volv, Sierra Club’s Ready for 100 campaign, GRID Alternatives, Vote Solar, The ClimateMusic Project, Solar United Neighbors, and The Redford Center activate communities across the country to harness the power of clean energy in week leading up to Earth Day

SAN FRANCISCO - Building off the momentum of the Green New Deal and the youth climate strike that saw millions of youth marching for climate solutions - clean energy organizations and advocates are sparking a national conversation about solar through the fifth annual "Solar Education Week." Scheduled in the week leading up to Earth Day, from April 15-21, the week features a range of events across the country. Organized by RE-volv, the initiative is a collaboration of solar and equity advocates, including, GRID Alternatives, Vote Solar, Sierra Club's Ready for 100 campaign, The ClimateMusic Project, Solar United Neighbors, and The Redford Center.

Solar Education Week aims to deepen the public's understanding about the potential and challenges around solar, with a focus on clean energy access for all and a just transition to a clean energy economy. It is designed to empower communities with tangible steps to shift to clean energy. Last year there were over 40 events in 10 states and this year that number is expected to double. Already events are scheduled in 18 states currently. Find a list of events and more information on the website SolarEdWeek.org.

"Americans of all ages and from all walks of life are looking for opportunities to take action on climate change," said Andreas Karelas, RE-volv's founder and Executive Director. "Solar Education Week is an invitation to people everywhere to host and attend gatherings to learn that solar is accessible, beneficial and - in many cases - already happening in their communities."

Earth Day, cited as the birth of the modern environmentalist movement is a celebration that often focuses on conservation and eco-friendly living. Solar Education Week is a complementary initiative that turns the spotlight to climate solutions and climate equity, movements that post-date the first Earth Day and require an additional conversation.

"We believe exposure and education on solar will help GRID Alternatives reach its vision of a transition to clean, renewable energy that includes everyone," said Erika Symmonds, Director of Workforce Development, at GRID Alternatives. "We're proud to partner with RE-volv on Solar Education Week to fill an information gap that will help include more people in the energy transition." GRID regional offices will be hosting a number of events next week from education workshops to solar installations.

Solar Education Week is just one of RE-volv's efforts to empower communities all over America to tap into the benefits of solar. RE-volv also runs the Solar Ambassador Program, a year-long fellowship that provides valuable career skills to college students by training them to bring solar to nonprofits in their communities through crowdfunding. Fellows gain practical career experience in clean energy and project management while channeling their creativity and passion into real climate solutions. Students from over a twenty schools have participated in the program and the eleven schools currently in the program will be having Solar Ed Week events this week.

The sun provides more energy to the earth's surface in one-and-a-half hours than the world consumes in a year. Compared with electricity from coal, solar over its lifetime uses less water, occupies or transforms less land and presents lower toxicity to humans. Solar is an incredibly affordable, reliable and versatile form of electricity. Solar Education Week exists to spread the word about the benefits of solar far and wide to all communities across the US.

###
About RE-volv
RE-volv empowers people to take direct action on climate change by crowdfunding solar energy projects for nonprofit organizations. Donations made to RE-volv's crowdfunding campaigns grow a revolving fund that provides solar financing for nonprofits across the nation. RE-volv also raises awareness about solar energy through its flagship Solar Ambassador Program, which trains college students and community leaders to solarize nonprofits they care about. RE-volv is an inaugural member of the White House National Community Solar Partnership and is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative. You can support RE-volv's latest crowdfunding project here: re-volv.org/EastEnd

About Vote Solar
Since 2002, Vote Solar has been working to make solar affordable and accessible to more Americans. They work at the state level all across the country to support the policies and programs needed to repower the grid with clean energy. Vote Solar's approach to advocacy combines deep technical and policy expertise with public education and mobilization. We build both the fact-based case and the political will needed to accelerate solar progress. Learn more at votesolar.org.

About GRID Alternatives
GRID Alternatives is a 501(c)(3) certified non-profit organization that brings together community partners, volunteers and job trainees to implement solar power and energy efficiency for low-income families, providing energy cost savings, valuable hands-on experience, and a source of clean, local energy that benefits us all. GRID is based in Oakland, California and currently has nine regional offices and affiliates serving all of California, Colorado, Washington D.C., Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. GRID also has a national Tribal Program, and an International Program serving Nicaragua, Nepal and Mexico. Learn more at gridalternatives.org.

About The Redford Center
Co-founded in 2005 by Robert Redford and his son and board chair, James Redford, The Redford Center harnesses the power of film, video and new media to engage people through inspiring stories that galvanize environmental action. Drawing on the family's multi-generational expertise in filmmaking and activism, they produce, fund and fiscally sponsor impact-driven productions that showcase stories of individuals taking action to protect and restore the planet. Learn more at redfordcenter.org.

About the Sierra Club and the Ready for 100 Campaign
The Ready for 100 Campaign is one of the Sierra Club's current campaigns mapping out a future run entirely on renewable energy. Ready for 100 promotes cleaner, cheaper, healthier energy and helps cities and communities across the country commit to a just transition to 100% clean, renewable energy! Ready for 100 encourages leaders across the U.S. to commit to 100% clean and renewable energy for all. The Sierra Club is an environmental organization in the United States. It was founded on May 28, 1892, in San Francisco, California. Learn more at sierraclub.org/ready-for-100.

About The ClimateMusic Project
The ClimateMusic Project is a San Francisco based nonprofit collaboration of world-renowned scientists, world-class musicians, artists, and technology leaders who create musical and visual experiences guided by scientific data on climate change. Our mission is to communicate a sense of urgency about climate change by combining climate science with the emotional power of music to drive meaningful action. For more information about The ClimateMusic Project, please see: climatemusic.org

About Solar United Neighbors
Solar United Neighbors is a non-profit organization that helps people and communities go solar, join together, and fight for their energy rights. As part of this mission, we work to promote the benefits of solar around the country.
Learn more at solarunitedneighbors.org