Real Goods Solar Founder and President John Schaeffer reminisces about his early days on the commune, where "Saturday Night Live" ironically was a catalyst in how he got his start as a solar energy visionary, "green building guru" and conscious entrepreneur. In this interview he talks about how technology doesn't have to be counter-productive to progress toward a sustainable future. Technology can, in fact, be a powerful tool in helping us get there.

In this short video John Schaeffer talks with us in his living room about how he and his wife Nancy Hensley envisioned and created Sunhawk, their Rastra-block, solar-powered, uber-eco home in Hopland, California. Did you know California and Colorado residents get rebates for home solar installations?

Residential solar power expert John Schaeffer discusses three reasons to go solar and some of the very tangible benefits in this quick two-minute video. Learn what rebates and government incentives are available in Colorado and California for home owners who decide to install a solar power system in their home.