John Schaeffer has received the 2007 Green Power Pioneer Award from the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) for helping bring renewable energy products to a much wider mainstream market. The annual national award recognizes individual renewable energy leaders that have demonstrated leadership by working to build the market for green power.
The 2007 Green Power Pioneer Market Development Award was presented to Schaeffer at an awards event, Monday evening, October 22nd, in conjunction with the Twelfth National Renewable Energy Marketing Conference taking place in Philadelphia this week. Schaeffer sold the very first photovoltaic (PV) solar panel in the world at retail in 1978 from the first Real Goods store (now Gaiam Real Goods) currently located in Hopland, California. For the past 30 years, Schaeffer has continued to sell solar and renewable energy supplies from the Real Goods catalogs & store at the Solar Living Center in Hopland, CA.
Schaeffer’s company, Gaiam Real Goods, has solarized over 60,000 homes and has grown into one of the foremost global sources for tools and information on renewable energy and sustainable living. He is the editor of the Real Goods Solar Living Source Book and he also founded the educational non-profit Solar Living Institute, dedicated to promoting renewable energy through inspirational environmental education.
“I am honored to receive this prestigious Green Power Pioneer Award from the Center for Resource Solutions. It's gratifying to know that Solar Energy has finally reached the mainstream. It has been 30 long years since Real Goods sold the very first PV panel in the U.S.,” said John Schaeffer, Founder & President, Real Goods.
The Center for Resource Solutions’ Market Development Awards recognized efforts to build the green power marketplace and advance the renewable energy industry. A seven-person selection committee reviewed nominations in three categories of Market Development Awards: Green Power Beacon for innovative marketing; Green Power Pilot for cutting-edge outreach efforts and Green Power Pioneer Award for continuous individual achievement. CRS presented awards to one organization, one company and two individuals that have shown outstanding leadership in building and shaping the market for renewable energy.
“The Center for Resource Solutions is proud to honor John Schaeffer, whose efforts to move the market forward for renewable energy is transforming the electricity sector with far reaching benefits for all of us," said Jan Hamrin, president of the Center for Resource Solutions. “John Schaffer exemplifies what the Pioneer Award is all about; his efforts show commitment, innovation and dedication to creating a more sustainable world.”
The Twelfth National Renewable Energy Marketing Conference, is the industry’s biggest annual gathering attended by leading renewable energy and green power industry stakeholders.
