The Real Goods Solar Living Sourcebook: The Complete Guide to Renewable Energy Techologies and Sustainable Living

Mother Earth News Wiser Living

by John Schaeffer

Book by

Genres: Nonfiction, Technology, Sustainability, Gardening, Environment

689 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1994

About the author

John Schaeffer has been exploring renewable energy and sustainable living since graduating from UC Berkeley in 1971.

While living on a 300-acre commune in Mendocino County, California, after college, John found himself hosting crowds around his solar-powered TV whenever Saturday Night Live came on. In 1995 John helped create the Solar Living Center in Hopland, California, a stunning 12-acre environmental educational center surrounded by lush permaculture gardens. He founded and remains Board Chair of the educational nonprofit Solar Living Institute, dedicated to promoting renewable energy and sustainable living through inspiring educational programs. The Institute produces and hosts the annual SolFest solar energy festival that attracts more than 10,000 people, and offers hands-on workshops and interships throughout the year.

John lives a few miles from the Solar Living Center with his wife Nancy Hensley in a passive-solar Rastra-block home they named Sunhawk, built mostly from recycled materials amid a permaculture oasis powered by solar and hydro-electric.

Reviews

[James Li · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though a bit dated in 2014, this was a primary resource for us when we went totally off-grid. The sections on calculating energy requirements prior to installing systems to meet those requirements was particularly good. Also gave us real data on currently available technology (much of which guided our initial purchases in 2002).

The wind section wasn't realistic and led us toward wind when the actual energy production we eventually realized from wind was <1% of our total production (solar, even in Maine winter, is far superior).

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have ever thought about doing anything with solar power this is definitely the book for you. Filled with articles about solar as well as a listing of products this is a great way to get into solar and see what all the fuss is about.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been our jumping off point for products in our new way of life. We've learned everything from the best ways to filter our well water to how to live without a septic system. The next step is to design a passive solar home and we'll surely use this book to begin that process.

[Vigilante Vegan]

I'm so excited to get my hands on this book!