Organizations

350.org

350.org, which has offices and organizers in North America, Europe, Asia, Africa and South America, attempts to spread the global inportance of 350 in advance of international climate meetings set for December 2009 in Copenhagen.   The group 350.org has built a global grassroots climate movement united by a common call to action in the fight against global warming. Global warming threatens everyone, especially the poorest and most vulnerable around the world.  Most recent science show that unless humans reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to 350 parts per million (ppm), the negative effects will have huge and irreversible damage to the earth and its people.

Reaching 350 ppm will require unprecedented international cooperation. The United Nations is negotiating a treaty that could put the world on a course to solve the climate crisis, but the current plans for the treaty are considered much too weak to get the world’s population back to safety.

American Council On Renewable Energy

The American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) works to bring all forms of renewable energy into the mainstream of America’s economy and lifestyle. ACORE is a non-profit organization members from every aspect and sector of the renewable energy industries and their trade associations, including wind, solar, geothermal, biomass and biofuels, hydropower tidal/current energy and waste energy. The scope of ACORE’s membership also spans - among others - financial institutions, government leaders, educators, end-users, professional service providers and allied non-profit groups.

ACORE accomplishes much of its work by convening the leaders in each of these sectors, publishing collaborative research and facilitating communications among members, their stakeholders and the media.

With a focus on trade, finance and policy, ACORE promotes all renewable energy options for the production of electricity, hydrogen, fuels and end-use energy, including solar, wind, biofuel, biomass, hydro, ocean, waste and geothermal.

Better Place

Founded in October 2007 on $200 million of venture capital, Better Place, in its first six months, announced cooperative agreements with Israel and Denmark to transform their transportation infrastructure from oil-based to renewable energy and significantly reduce harmful emissions.

Better Place’s model means consumers subscribe to transportation as a service, much like they do today with mobile phones. Auto companies make the electric cars that plug in to the Better Place electric recharge network of charging stations and battery swap stations. Energy companies provide the network’s power through growing renewable energy projects. And Better Place provides the batteries to make owning an electric car affordable and convenient.  On December 2, 2008, Better Place announced it will be partnering with Hawaii to make mass adoption of electric vehicles powered by renewable energy a reality in the state by 2012.

California Clean Tech Open

A non-profit organization, Clean Tech Open is an innovation catalyst, helping today’s clean-tech innovators become tomorrow’s viable clean-tech businesses. The core of Clean Tech Open is an annual regional business plan competition that provides clean-tech entrepreneurs and early stage companies with the training, services and insights they need to successfully go to market. To date, Clean Tech Open has assisted alumni companies in raising over $115 million in funding, as well as created hundreds of jobs in the clean tech market. Fueled by a one of a kind network of over 400 volunteers and in-kind sponsors, Clean Tech Open connects the public and private sectors with a shared vision for making the clean-tech sector a thriving economic engine. Past alumni start-ups include Cool Earth Solar, Aurora Biofuels, GreenVolts and Adura Technologies.

California Solar Energy Industries Association

California Solar Energy Industries Association supports the widespread adoption of solar thermal and photovoltaic systems by educating consumers, supporting solar legislation and conducting business in a professional and ethical manner.  Companies who join CALSEIA are doing business in California or supplying products to California companies. The policies and programs in California affect their livelihoods.

CALSEIA activities

• Enact Legislation: to encourage removal of barriers and policies that help provide an open and competitive market
• Create and/or Modify Regulations: to promote safety, durability, and a competitive market
• Create and/or Maintain Incentives: to build the market to a size that allows the installed cost of solar energy to compete with non-renewable energy resources
• Ethics: to encourage the ethical conduct of companies participating in the solar market. CALSEIA is not a law enforcement organization but it can provide resources to assist people to find the appropriate law enforcement organization.
• Codes and Standards:  to ensure safety and reliability and to standardize requirements to reduce costs and improve construction efficiency

Types of Companies that are members of CALSEIA

Manufacturers, Contractors, Distributors, Engineers, Designers, Consultants, Utilities, Educational organizations, Local Governments

Types of solar technologies represented by CALSEIA

• Solar thermal - for water heating, process heat, electric generation, cooling, space condition for residential and commercial applications
• Solar electric (photovoltaic) - for electric generation on homes, businesses, and to the utility
• Concentrating solar - for electric generation, process heat, and cooling
• Solar pool heating - for recreational, athletic, municipal, and therapeutic pools in commercial, residential, and municipal pools

Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology

Through teaching, programs, and research, the Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology (CET) equips engineers and scientists with the skills to lead, innovate, and commercialize technology in the global economy. UC Berkeley faculty and students have started more than 200 UC ventures in areas such as IT, biotechnology and clean energy.

Chesonis Family Foundation

The Chesonis Family Foundation is a private philanthropic organization that targets environmental and renewable energy research projects. The foundation addresses global climate change by bridging funding gaps in the innovation value chain to develop economically viable technology as a driver of change.

Clean Airport Partnership

Established in 1998, the Clean Airport Partnership is the only not-for-profit corporation in the U.S. devoted exclusively to improving environmental quality and energy efficiency at airports. CAP believes that efficient airport operations and sound environmental management go hand in hand. This approach can reduce costs and uncertainty of environmental compliance, facilitate growth, while setting a visible leadership example for communities and the nation.

Clean Energy Project

Seeks alternative sources of energy in order to develop new energy-related technologies, in particular, novel designs for solar cells and fuel cells based on organic molecules. This often requires compounds with very specific characteristics to efficiently capture and/or storage energy. In their research, the computational chemistry expertise of the research group of Prof. Aspuru-Guzik and the large distributed computing power of IBMs World Community Grid is combined to develop a rational approach in the discovery of materials for organic solar cells.

Instead of testing and manufacturing some of the potential molecular materials, the Clean Energy Project will set up a massive number of computational chemistry calculations to scan through a huge collection of molecular candidates. The results of these theoretical calculations will help determine whether or not a particular molecule is suitable match for its use in solar cells.

Cool Earth Solar

Cool Earth Solar is developing a breakthrough solar technology that can ultimately produce enough clean energy to address the global energy crisis. This technology dramatically reduces the cost and time to develop solar power plants capable of generating massive amounts of clean energy at prices competitive with fossil fuels.

EarthJustice

Earthjustice is a non-profit public interest law firm dedicated to protecting the magnificent places, natural resources, and wildlife of this earth, and to defending the right of all people to a healthy environment. The organization brings about far-reaching change by enforcing and strengthening environmental laws on behalf of hundreds of organizations, coalitions and communities.

Electric Power Research Institute

The Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. (EPRI) conducts research and development relating to the generation, delivery and use of electricity for the benefit of the public. An independent, nonprofit organization, EPRI brings together its scientists and engineers as well as experts from academia and industry to help address challenges in electricity, including reliability, efficiency, health, safety and the environment. EPRI also provides technology, policy and economic analyses to drive long-range research and development planning, and supports research in emerging technologies. EPRI’s members represent more than 90 percent of the electricity generated and delivered in the United States, and international participation extends to 40 countries. EPRI’s principal offices and laboratories are located in Palo Alto, Calif.; Charlotte, N.C.; Knoxville, Tenn.; and Lenox, Mass.

Emerging Energy Research

Emerging Energy Research (EER) is a leading advisory and consulting firm tracking emerging technologies in global energy markets. EER’s mission is to help clients understand, leverage, and exploit the technological, regulatory, and competitive trends in the global emerging energy sector.

Environment California

Environment California is a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization. Their professional staff combines independent research, practical ideas and tough-minded advocacy to overcome the opposition of powerful special interests and win real results for California’s environment. Environment California draws on 30 years of success in tackling our state’s top environmental problems.

Environmental Defense Fund

Environmental Defense Fund is a leading national nonprofit organization representing more than 500,000 members. Since 1967, EDF have linked science, economics and law to create innovative, equitable and cost-effective solutions to society’s most urgent environmental problems.

Environmental Defense Fund is dedicated to protecting the environmental rights of all people, including future generations. Among these rights are access to clean air and water, healthy and nourishing food, and flourishing ecosystems.

Go Solar California

Go Solar California is a joint effort of the California Energy Commission and the California Public Utilities Commission providing California consumers with a “one-stop shop” for information on rebates, tax credits and incentives for solar energy systems in California.

Green For All

Green For All is a national organization dedicated to building an inclusive green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty.

By advocating for local, state and federal commitment to job creation, job training, and entrepreneurial opportunities in the emerging green economy – especially for people from disadvantaged communities – Green For All fights both poverty and pollution at the same time.

GRID Alternatives

Since piloting the Solar Affordable Housing Program in 2004, GRID Alternatives has installed 205 solar electric systems for low-income families throughout Northern and Southern California. These systems are reducing each family’s electric bills by approximately 75%, which will translate to a total of over $3.39 million in energy cost savings over the systems’ projected life spans. They will also prevent roughly 10,257 tons of greenhouse gas emissions over the next 30 years, the equivalent of planting 14,315 trees.

GRID Alternatives has also trained over 1,920 community volunteers on the theory and practice of solar electric installation, and provided them with opportunities to gain hands-on experience with real-world solar installation projects. Their volunteers gain valuable skills and experience that they can bring back to their homes, businesses and communities, and help build broad-based, grassroots leadership and support for renewable energy.

Interstate Renewable Energy Council

The Interstate Renewable Energy Council is a non-profit organization dedicated to moving renewable energy resources into the marketplace.

IREC emphasizes education and outreach, stakeholder coordination, technical assistance, workforce development, the adoption and implementation of uniform guidelines and standards, consumer protection and building networks to share experiences and information.

Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), provides a suite of standards for environmentally sustainable construction. Since its inception in 1998, LEED has grown to encompass more than 14,000 projects in 50 US States and 30 countries covering 1.062 billion square feet (99 km²) of development area.  The hallmark of LEED is that it is an open and transparent process where the technical criteria proposed by the LEED committees are publicly reviewed for approval by the more than 10,000 membership organizations that currently constitute the USGBC.

Individuals recognized for their knowledge of the LEED rating system are permitted to use the LEED Accredited Professional (AP) acronym after their name, indicating they have passed the accreditation exam given by the Green Building Certification Institute (a 3rd party organization that handles accreditation for the USGBC).

MIT Energy Initiative

The MIT Energy Initiative pairs the Institute’s world-class research teams with key players across the innovation spectrum to help accomplish two important goals: improving today’s energy systems and transforming tomorrow’s global energy marketplace.

MITEI is also a resource for policy makers and the public, providing unbiased analysis and serving as an honest broker for industry and government. MITEI’s educational offerings combine single-discipline depth with multidiscipline breadth, making our campus an energy learning laboratory. Through research, analysis, and education, MITEI is working to find answers to reinvent our energy world.

NanoSolar

NanoSolar is on track to make solar electricity cost-efficient for ubiquitous deployment; mass-produced on a global scale; and available in many versatile forms. The company has developed proprietary process technology that makes it possible to produce 100x thinner solar cells 100x faster.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is the nation’s primary laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development (R&D).

NREL’s mission and strategy are focused on advancing the U.S. Department of Energy’s and our nation’s energy goals. The laboratory’s scientists and researchers support critical market objectives to accelerate research from scientific innovations to market-viable alternative energy solutions. At the core of this strategic direction are NREL’s research and technology development areas. These areas span from understanding renewable resources for energy, to the conversion of these resources to renewable electricity and fuels, and ultimately to the use of renewable electricity and fuels in homes, commercial buildings, and vehicles. The laboratory thereby directly contributes to our nation’s goal for finding new renewable ways to power our homes, businesses, and cars.

Natural Resource Defence Council

The Natural Resources Defense Council is one of the nation’s most effective environmental action organization.  NRDC uses law, science and the support of 1.2 million members and online activists to protect the planet’s wildlife and wild places and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things.

With the support of members and online activists, NRDC works to solve the most pressing environmental issues faced today: curbing global warming, getting toxic chemicals out of the environment, moving America beyond oil, reviving our oceans, saving wildlife and wild places, and helping China go green.

North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP)

The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a volunteer board of renewable energy stakeholder representatives. Our mission is to support, and work with the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries, professionals, and stakeholders to develop and implement quality credentialing and certification programs for practitioners.

Consistent with this mission, NABCEP offers national, credentialing and certifications for renewable energy professionals.  NABCEP began that work by creating a certification program for solar electric installers–referred to as the NABCEP Solar PV Installer Certification.  As of October 2008, 587 individuals have passed NABCEP’s PV Installer Certification exam. There are 85 NABCEP-certified solar thermal installers.

Northern California Solar Energy Association

NorCal Solar is a non-profit educational organization whose mission is to accelerate the use of solar energy technology through the exchange of information. Since 1975 this membership-based group has educated tens of thousands of Californians about solar energy solutions through our events, publications, information center, website, and advocacy programs.

As a crucial part of the global warming solution, we envision an educated and empowered population that uses all forms of solar energy technology and practices for an economically viable, secure, and environmentally sustainable world.

Passive House Institute US

The Passive House Institute US (PHIUS) is a consulting and research firm working to further the implementation of Passive House standards and techniques nationwide by:

• Constructing, measuring, and verifying performance of Passive Houses in all US climate zones
• Contributing to the development of minimized mechanical systems for heating, cooling, and dehumidification
• Creating design guidelines for Passive Houses in all climate zones
• Providing energy calculation and consulting services
• Participating in presentations, meetings, conferences, etc. regarding passive construction

As of January 2008, PHIUS is authorized by the Passivhaus Institut in Darmstadt as the official Certifier of Passive Houses in the United States.

Public Citizen

Public Citizen is a national, nonprofit consumer advocacy organization founded in 1971 to represent consumer interests in Congress, the executive branch and the courts.

The group fight for openness and democratic accountability in government, for the right of consumers to seek redress in the courts; for clean, safe and sustainable energy sources; for social and economic justice in trade policies; for strong health, safety and environmental protections; and for safe, effective and affordable prescription drugs and health care.

REmapping The World

3TIER’s REmapping the World initiative will provide the critical information that has been missing to make renewable energy a viable choice: information regarding the availability and value of renewable resources. For the first time, communities in developing countries that lack access to power will have the information to decide how renewable energy can power their communities.

Building upon 3TIER’s expertise in providing the best renewable energy resource information, REmapping the World will allow instant, easy-to-use Internet access to the world’s first, high-resolution global renewable energy resource maps. In two clicks, people will be able to discover potential renewable energy sites, cost effectively and within minutes. As no other global resource assessment has been done at this scale, 3TIER’s REmapping the World initiative is the first of its kind.

San José Green Vision

On October 7, 2007, Mayor Chuck Reed introduced San José’s Green Vision, which sets 10 ambitious goals for environmental protection and economic development. This 15-year plan envisions: creating 25,000 Clean Tech jobs; building or retrofitting 50 million square feet of green buildings; installing 100,000 solar roofs (1/10 of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 1 million solar roofs for California initiative); reducing per capita electricity use by half; becoming a zero waste city; recycling and reusing 100 percent of the city’s water; and moving to 100 percent renewable energy. San José, the nation’s tenth largest city, already is a leader in clean energy and solar innovation, with leading corporations such as SunPower, SoloPower, Stion, Nanosolar, Fat Spaniel, SunWize, Sopogy, and others headquartered in the city. Electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla Motors recently announced that it would locate its headquarters and new manufacturing plant in San José.

Sierra Club Clean Energy Solutions

The Sierra Club is helping to grow a clean-energy economy in the U.S. by:

1. Repowering America with green, renewable energy: Wind, solar, and other safe, clean sources of power that will energize a new American century.
2. Rebuilding America with high-performance homes and buildings: Smarter, greener buildings that eliminate global warming emissions, reduce utility bills, and generate renewable energy.
3. Linking it all together with a 21st-century “electranet:” An energy internet that links homes to a smart grid powered by clean energy. The electranet can reduce electricity consumption through a national transmission network that supports large-scale renewable energy and local energy generation that frees homes and businesses to produce their own energy.

Solar Electric Power Association

The Solar Electric Power Association is comprised of over 500 electric utilities, solar companies, and other industry stakeholders.  From research projects and national events, to one-on-one counseling and peer matching services, SEPA is the go-to resource for unbiased and actionable solar intelligence.  SEPA`s unique joint partnership offers members critical access to key business relationships and unbiased, actionable intelligence needed to make solar practical and profitable in today`s shifting energy landscape.

Solar Energy International

Solar Energy International (SEI) is a USA non-profit organization whose mission is to help others use renewable energy and environmental building technologies through education. SEI teaches individuals from all walks of life how to design, install and maintain renewable energy systems, and how to design and build efficient, sustainable homes. SEI offers trainings online and in 22 locations around the world.

Union of Concerned Scientists

The Union of Concerned Scientists is the leading science-based nonprofit working for a healthy environment and a safer world. UCS combines independent scientific research and citizen action to develop innovative, practical solutions and to secure responsible changes in government policy, corporate practices, and consumer choices.

What began as a collaboration between students and faculty members at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1969 is now an alliance of more than 250,000 citizens and scientists. UCS members are people from all walks of life: parents and businesspeople, biologists and physicists, teachers and students. The group’s achievements over the decades show that thoughtful action based on the best available science can help safeguard our future and the future of our planet.

Vote Solar

The Vote Solar Initiative is a non-profit organization with the mission of stopping global warming, fostering economic development and increasing energy independence by bringing solar energy into the mainstream.

Vote Solar is working on the key policies necessary to bring solar to scale. Vote Solar works with state governments to build sustainable solar markets, removing regulatory barriers and laying the necessary groundwork for a solar future.

Western Climate Initiative

The Western Climate Initiative, launched in February 2007, is a collaboration of seven U.S. governors and four Canadian Premiers. For a map showing Partners and Observers click here.

WCI was created to identify, evaluate, and implement collective and cooperative ways to reduce greenhouse gases in the region, focusing on a market-based cap-and-trade system.

Western Renewable Energy Zones Project

The Western Governors’ Association and U.S. Department of Energy launched the Western Renewable Energy Zones Project in May 2008. Utilizing those areas in the West with vast renewable resources to expedite the development and delivery of clean and renewable energy is the central goal of the WREZ project. Participating in the project are 11 states, two Canadian provinces, and areas in Mexico that are part of the Western Interconnection.

World Community Grid

WCG is an effort to create the world’s largest public computing grid to tackle scientific research projects that benefit humanity. Launched November 16, 2004, it is funded and operated by IBM with client software currently available for Windows, Linux, Mac OS X and FreeBSD operating systems.

Using the idle time of computers around the world, World Community Grid’s research projects have analyzed aspects of the human genome, HIV, dengue, muscular dystrophy, and cancer. The organization has so far partnered with nearly 400 other companies and organizations to assist in the work and has over 410,000 registered user accounts.