Sungevity was founded by a group of friends who came together with a common vision to “make it easy, make it affordable.” Their unique talents make the business model possible: co-founder and President Danny Kennedy is a former campaign manager for Greenpeace; co-founder and CEO Andrew “Birchy” Birch is a former banker and BP Solar Executive (who also holds a master’s degree in photovoltaics); Chief Development Officer Patrick Crane is a former marketing guru from the social networking giant LinkedIn; and co-founder and Chairman of the Board Alec Guettel inspired Danny to start the renewable energy company. (Thank you, Alec.)

Based out of Oakland, Calif., the sunshine crew uses technology as a convenience, allowing them to lease solar energy like one would lease a car, providing affordable and accessible solar power to places as far as Australia.

An example of the iQuote system.

Sungevity’s iQuote system allows you to obtain a quote remotely, and their unique financing structure allows you to lease your power so there are no costs up front. Think of it like booking a vacation through Expedia versus going to a travel agency — your specific needs are met on your budget and on your time. In this instance, you also save energy and money. And in some cases, if you produce more energy than you consume in a year, some utility companies will pay you back. Seem too good to be true? I spoke with Danny Kennedy to find out how they do it.

What prompted you to found Sungevity?
We wanted to make solar power easy, affordable and attainable to more people. In particular, taking away the up-front costs, which was a big barrier to adoption historically, and making it easy and hassle-free …  so we innovated the online business model we have that really makes Sungevity unique.

What sets you apart from other solar energy companies?
Using modern technology and leveraging the internet … we built software that allows us to mesh up the satellite view or top down image with aerial photographs which come at an angle from an airplane and through that we can get the angles which give us the pitch of the roof and the circumference of the roof and those angles are important to calibrating what the production of that solar panel will be on your roof and how much electricity you’ll get out of it. So, effectively, we are able to image an aerial system without going to your home. And the level of engineering is as accurate or more accurate than the manual process. That, in turn, allows us to go out and get the financing solution that we have now, which is the solar lease, which allows you to pay for the electricity supply rather than paying for it up front.

How are you able to lease energy instead of obtaining money up front?
We partner with third party financiers to create funds that pay for everything that goes into installing and inter-connecting a homeowner’s solar system. We always wanted to do a lease-like solution, take away that up-front cost. The history being that you would pay for the whole thing. We had to pioneer the strategy of using the internet and get that going with the inside selling that goes with this [call center-based sales.] Before we launched [in 2008] that had never been done. Now most of the industry is doing call center-based sales, but when we started that was just unknown.

Why is it important to make solar energy more mainstream?
We want to create value in the economy. The book that I’ve written ["Rooftop Revolution"] is really about how solar power is going to create a whole new economy and save people money in their homes, create jobs…. It’s just a smarter better way to power society. A more modern reliable technology than the fossil fuel-based system that we’ve inherited from the 19th century.

There are several ideas out there about how to increase awareness and popularity of renewable energies, such as carbon taxes and financial incentives. What do you think would help advance the movement?
The main thing is certainty. One of the problems with a lot of policy making over the years — and this is what I used to do for my bread and butter for two decades almost — is that they kind of shift the goal post, change the policy, use this policy incentive and that incentive, whereas the current sources of energy have had a fairly stable playing field for a long time. So, one overriding request is that we let this business flourish on solid ground and not keep changing the rules of it. We can talk about different policy settings and structures, but … in the last ten years it’s grown into a multi billion dollar business with 100,000 employees and allowed us to have what’s called net metering, which allows us to sell electricity into the supply, into the grid. That net metering concept is a matter of regulation of the public utility commissions in different states and it is sort of under attack right now. The utilities are asking them to take that away from us. If you take that away it’s hard to create the stability to attract investment and to build growing companies and continue to serve customers easily.

Of course, there are people with vested interests, but … there’s a whole new cycle of innovation happening, solar panels, solar leasing … these businesses are growing like gangbusters. We’ve got to get in front of it and support the job creators and the new economic opportunities that are coming with that. What is more about energy independence than letting a family in America produce their own energy? Or some of it? Harvesting the sunlight falling on their own home.

Where do you see solar energy in five years? What role do you hope to play?
Solar energy is going to be huge in five years time. Just in the years since we’ve been in business, we have exceeded expectations as an industry in terms of jobs created, dollars saved, the cost structure of electricity. Sungevity will continue to grow as a business because the curve will continue. I think there will continue to be all sorts of new additional bundles of service. Just like simple computers that could word process suddenly became connected to one another though the internet, then came the platform to all sorts of software and new services. So to, the distributed architecture of solar power in every home, being involved in energy, will create more technology innovation and more finance innovation, bringing new value and new services we couldn’t have conceived of before. Here we are engaged in the creation and consumption of this service called electricity. There will be more other ways and business models of serving more people for less with solar electricity.

I believe Sungevity will definitely be at the forefront. We are an innovative company … with a unique team that combines business savvy and technology. Patrick is now helping us think through what’s next for solar as a social network, almost gamifying this spread of solar service. (And, of course, there’s the book.…)

What needs to happen next?
To move on in the conversation, make people think of it as a lifestyle choice. We need to get over the hackneyed debate of the 20th century that this stuff doesn’t work, it’s not ready. It’s powering millions of people’s lives today. It’s a 100 billion dollar business, today, it employs 100,000 Americans today. Let’s move beyond that knee-jerk debate and recognize this is neither left or right, it’s out front. It’s what’s helping America move forward, creating jobs, saving families money. We are the good news story of American entrepreneurship succeeding. That’s what we should be recognized by and for and not some kind of whipping post for the culture wars.

What do you want people to learn from your book and where can they get it?
There is a sunny side up to the story of solar and how we make electricity going forward. The price is coming down enormously which makes it the best way to move forward. The way they can get involved is with activism or entrepreneurship.… Sungevity is part of the story, but we’re not all of it, by any means. There are millions of businesses that will grow in the next decades to rewire the world with this cleaner better way of getting electricity. That’s a huge good news story for the economy.

“Rooftop Revolution” will be available on Amazon.com or in bookstores starting Sept. 4th.

Note: The book also includes a forward by retired U.S. Army General Wesley Clark, (former supreme commander of NATO) who emphasizes that a solar-based electricity supply with less dependence on foreign sources of fuel is a more secure one.

When an activist and a militant agree on an agenda, the message seems clear: “Solar is where it’s at right now.”

Main photo and additional image credit: Sungevity.com

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Sticky Fingers Bakery founder Doron Petersan and head baker Jenny Webb proved that fab cupcakes don’t need eggs or butter make when they became the first vegan bakers to win on Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars.” Taste some of their goodies for yourself! But how can something be creamy and delicious without the eggs and the butter, you ask?

Creating these alternative goodies is a matter of re-creating texture while maintaining flavor (and a little kitchen science). I can personally vouch for the goodies at Babycakes NYC, which are made with ingredients like flax meal, coconut oil and faux buttermilk (made with soy milk and apple cider vinegar). If you don’t trust me, check out the below videofrom The Wall Street Journal. And its not just vegans and vegetarians saying yes to these clever concoctions. With locations in Los Angeles, Disneyworld and NYC, the demand for healthier sweets is clear. If you’re not lucky enough to live in one of these cities, they also offer a mail order option.

Amanda Cohen, head chef of New York vegetarian eatery Dirt Candy, proved that giving up meat or animal ingredients doesn’t have to mean giving up flavor when she held her own against Iron Chef Morimoto on “Iron Chef America: Battle Broccoli.” Though she didn’t win the battle, she was the first meat-free chef to compete, thereby setting a precedent that you don’t need meat to create a delicious, creative, inspiring meal.

With institutions like Le Cordon Vert teaching the art of flavor for meat-free meals, the herbivore foodie movement shows no signs of slowing down. The school, which opened its doors in 1982, has been growing ever since. It now offers courses for professionals and hobbyists, including workshops like “Vegan Party Food.” Check out the syllabus for ideas!

With the ever growing population of vegans and vegetarians, the demand for quality meat-free eats will continue to rise. According to a 2012 poll conducted by the Vegetarian Resource Group, approximately 4 percent (9 million) U.S. adults were found to be vegetarian and 1 percent (2 million) were found to be vegan. The difference being that vegetarians don’t eat meat, fish or poultry, while vegans also abstain from eating or using animal products including all dairy items, eggs, honey, wool, silk or leather.

If peer pressure isn’t enough to sway you, maybe the health benefits will. A diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol can reduce the risk of heart disease, lower your risk of cancer, and improve blood pressure. Of course, eating vegetarian/vegan also saves the lives of animals and reduces the effects of global warming. In fact, former President Bill Clinton credits his recently adopted vegan diet for his improved heart health.

Soy protein has also been touted as helping to reduce the risks of heat disease, when part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol. To most people, soy protein means tofu, but tofu isn’t the only meatless game in town. Health and taste have melded with innovation to create an array of vegan and vegetarian protein options that even pork lovers can appreciate. There are several versions of fake bacon, commonly referred to as “facon.” You might not become such a fanatic you want to marry it, but these flavored tempeh strips (made of a mixture of soy beans and brown rice) offer protein fiber and taste that would satisfy any BLT craving! Take a bite of this recipe provided by reciperenovator.com: TBLT Sandwich Recipe.

Other options like seitan (wheat meat), quorn (made of a mycroprotein from mushroom-like fungus), and soy protein concoctions like chick’n patties, beefless burgers, riblets, and Tofurky, etc., courtesy of companies like Boca, Lightlife, Turtle Island Foods and Gardein offer an array of ready-made products to sub into your old recipes or try new ones. With most alternatives modeled to be reminiscent of their fleshier counterparts, that means diners can still enjoy their old favorites by putting a new twist on old classics like this Philly “Cheese Steak.”

Most meat substitutes are also lower in calories than their animal counterparts, which has been known to aid in weight loss. Sounds believable when you consider the fact that famous fitness gurus Mike Tyson and Bob Harper are vegans.

Whether you switch teams or not, it’s clear that meat-free dining has more to offer than steamed vegetables and bland tofu. Check out some vegetarian/vegan friendly restaurants in your area and see what new gastronomic treasures await.

Photo credit: vegannyc

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We don’t all live in a massive house, teeming full of staff members to look after our every whim as we take care of a nation, but many of us are trying to be healthier by making changes to our diets. The White House Kitchen Garden was born out of that simple thought — a mother looking to find a way to help her family eat better.

The 1100 square-f00t White House Kitchen Garden is the first garden on the grounds since Eleanor Roosevelt’s Victory Garden during World War II.  Although a rooftop vegetable garden was planted during the Clinton administration, and remained during the Bush administration, the current garden is large enough to feed the First Family and heads of state as well, often producing such a large harvest that leftover fruits and veggies are donated to local soup kitchens. Extra produce isn’t the only thing they’re giving away though, honey from the beehives on the grounds is a common Obama gift. (Do you think the queen bee is a democrat too?)

The White House Garden is more than just a source of nutrition, it is also a source of history. It is not historic just because of its notable location, but also because some of the seeds used for the current crops are from Thomas Jefferson’s Monitcello garden, as seen in this documentary about the story of the garden. Jefferson was one of the first to start seasonal growing (the precursor to eating local — before they had a choice). The principal behind seasonal eating, is to eliminate the environmental damage caused by shipping foods, get more money directly to farmers, and enjoy the health benefits of eating fresh, unprocessed fruits and vegetables.

Growing your own food is not only a good way to teach the principles of healthy eating and appreciation of the land, it’s also a good way to spend time together, get exercise and save some money.

Lucky children enrolled in local schools can schedule a tour of the White House Kitchen Garden first hand. If you aren’t lucky enough to live close by, (or you’ve already passed the age limit), the First Lady also offers a downloadable checklist to help grow your own garden through Let’s Move, with helpful tips about when and where to plant your crops no matter what size space you have to work with. Here are a few of her tips:

1. Location Location Location

According to the USDA’s People’s Garden Initiative, a good gardening space receives at least six hours of sunlight per day and has a conveniently located water source. (If you’re like me, that means a well placed window box on the balcony.)

2. The Dirt on Dirt

Your soil quality will determine the health of your crops and the design of your garden (i.e., using raised beds vs. planting directly in the soil) so be sure to test your soil and get the necessary additives, if needed, before planting. KitchenGardeners.org offers some virtual hand holding through the gardening process and some inspiring tips.

3. Plant Placement

It’s important to map out the design of your garden before planting, not just for aesthetics, but to ensure each plant has enough access to sunlight and/or shade, as well as room to grow. Not sure about going full tilt? It’s okay to start small, because there’s always room to grow.

4. Mikey Likes It

When choosing your crops, it’s important to consider your tastes in addition to the practical and environmental concerns. Simply put, don’t grow it if you don’t like it. Planning a menu from the ground up will also help you reap the most reward from your crops (pick items that will work together in meals), and don’t forget herbs and spices!

5. It’s Getting Hot in Here

Keep in mind that some crops do better in cold seasons and others in warm. You might be able to get whatever you want in grocery store aisles year-round, but your rows of crops are only going to grow according to weather, so plan for it.

What can you expect to plant when?  Cool weather crops like peas, lettuce, broccoli, collards, radishes, and onions are planted in early spring and fall, while warm weather crops like beans, melons, cucumbers, peanuts, peppers and tomatoes are planted in late spring or summer. For a full list of what is growing at the White House Garden, go to The WHO Farm website.

For more tips from the First Lady herself, check out her book, American Grown: The Story of the White House Kitchen Garden and Gardens Across America, which includes advice on how to start gardens and ideas to get children to like healthy foods and find more opportunities for exercise. Proceeds from the book will go to the National Park Foundation.

Whether you chose to plant your goodies in a community garden, a window box or a plot befitting of the White House, the personal, ecological and financial benefits of having your own garden are undeniable. Eat better, live better.

Reading the list of health benefits from the goodies in the White House Garden reads like Obamacare 101. The rows of crops are packed with cancer-fighting antioxidants, collagen-producing vitamins (I don’t know about you, but I’d rather get mine from a berry than a syringe), and nutrients that improve vision, skin, brain function, immunity, digestion, and bone and tooth strength, that will help keep the First Family looking young and healthy no matter how much stress they are under. All that, and it tastes good too!

Main photo credit: Angela N./Flickr

Graphic credit: TheWHOFarm.org

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The Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) is an extraordinary membership-led farmworker organization made up of mostly immigrants working in low-wage jobs throughout the state of Florida. They are paid an average of 50 cents for every 32 lbs. of tomatoes they pick — and have been stuck at that rate since 1980. That means most farmworkers earn less than $12,000 a year.

According to the Department of Labor, “Production of fruits and vegetables has increased and global demand for American produce continues to grow, but agricultural worker earnings and working conditions are either stagnant or in decline.”

Many of the workers come to Florida from Mexico, looking to support their families back home, only to end up worse off.  In an effort to improve their lives, the CIW fight for fair wages and safer work conditions.

A typical day for a farmworker begins at 4:30 a.m. and ends at 8 p.m. If the schedule alone were not torture, their actual work consists of slave-like perks like hot blazing sun beating down on you, back breaking manual labor, and personal health risks.  To hear it in their own words watch this documentary about the CIW.

In 2001, after failed hunger strikes and lack of governmental support, the CIW upped their game and launched the Campaign for Fair Food which aims to harness the purchasing power of the food industry for the betterment of farmworker wages and working conditions by calling on major buyers of tomatoes to pay one penny more per pound for their tomatoes (which will in turn increase the picker’s wages), and work together with the CIW to establish and implement a code of conduct in their supply chains.

The Campaign for Fair Food marked the first-ever farmworker boycott of a major fast-food company: Taco Bell. The CIW took the Taco Bell Truth Tour on the road until 2005 when they finally got the winning verdict for which they had hoped.

The Taco Bell win helped to establish several crucial precedents for farm labor reform, including ongoing direct payment to farmworkers (nearly doubling the percentage that goes to workers), a Code of Conduct for agricultural suppliers in the fast food industry (which includes the CIW as part of the investigative body for monitoring worker complaints), market incentives for agricultural suppliers willing to respect their workers’ human rights, and 100 percent transparency for tomatoes sold in Florida.

If that weren’t enough of a gain, those precedents helped them not only win again in 2007, this time with fast food magnate McDonalds, but it convinced the burger chain to collaborate on developing an industry-wide third party to monitor conditions in the fields, making them an even stronger force to recon with.  And in 2008, Burger King and Subway joined the team. Anyone who’s ever been to an airport food court knows these four are at the top of the list.

With a strong hold in the fast food world, the CIW went on to tackle supermarkets, adding organic mega chain, Whole Foods, to the collabo-roster. Whole Foods, in turn, went on to secure the cooperation of two of Florida’s largest organic growers — putting an end to a two-year stalemate.

Even more progress for the CIW occurred in 2009, when Bon Appétit Management Co., a division of food service giant Compass Group, became the first food service company to step up. And in 2010, using their power as the drive-thru target market, the Student/Farmworker Alliance‘s “Dine with Dignity” campaign brought the remaining food service industry leaders into the fold, putting an end to the “harvest shame.”

With the additional corporate feathers in their cap, the CIW were able to sign an agreement with the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange to extend their Fair Food principles, “including a strict code of conduct, a cooperative complaint resolution system, a participatory health and safety program, and a worker-to-worker education process.” That means real, concrete changes are already underway, such as a penny per pound wage increase, clocking in so that even their pick-up times are included into their work hours, no longer having to over-fill their buckets to be counted, and receiving worker education. And the campaign continues.

In 2012, Trader Joe’s became the tenth corporation overall and the second supermarket to sign a Fair Food Agreement with the CIW.

The CIW and Sumofus.org are currently trying to get the restaurant chain, Chipotle, who already claim a commitment to “food with integrity,” to sign an agreement stating that they will abide by their codes of conduct instead of going it alone as they have been. If you want to help get Chipotle on board, you can sign this petition. If you want to support the CIW and help get the remaining supermarket chains and fast food restaurants on board, you can take action here, or simply avoid patronizing restaurants and markets that have yet to sign on and frequent businesses that have.

Whether hands-on political action is your thing or not, the amazing strides the CIW has made are proof that grassroots campaigning works. If it’s all just too much for you, forget about stopping abuse or treating people fairly and humanly, doesn’t knowing you are improving someone’s quality of life make your food taste better?

Main photo credit: NESRI/Flickr; video credit: Jeff Imig

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