ESRAG INITIATIVE
Million Solar Panel Challenge
Empowering Rotarians to combat climate change, reduce energy costs, and collectively offset millions of tonnes of CO2 emissions, all while leading the way towards a sustainable future.
WHAT IS IT?
Fighting climate change one solar panel at a time.
The Million Solar Panels initiative is a campaign to encourage Rotarians to purchase solar panels in order to impact climate change and at the same time reduce their power bills. The rapid transition to Renewable Energy is needed to stop a Climate Crisis. We can wait for our governments to take action or Rotarians can lead the way.
Did you know that if every Rotarian installed one (400 watt) solar panel this would:
Be equivalent to planting 14 million mature trees;
Save >$5 billion dollars in electricity bills;
Stop > 10 million tonnes of CO2 being released.
MILLION SOLAR PANELS
Rotarians Deploy Solar Panels
Rotarians’ response to the challenge of Planting a Million Trees was inspiring. “Planting” solar panels has an even greater positive impact on our environment.
How to get involved?
- Encourage Rotarians to invest in solar panels for themselves or for others.
- Document how many solar panels Rotarians have already purchased.
- Encourage Rotary Clubs to become Climate friendly and invest in solar to offset their carbon footprint.
- Educate neighbors about the advantages of renewable energy.
- When 1.4 million Rotarians act together they can lead the world to a brighter future.
A Million Solar Panels Map:
INITIATIVE
FAQ
If you have delivered time, treasure, or talent to install solar panels, please log them below! The one exception is a situation where you have profited or earned income from an installation. These are not eligible for logging.
Q. When adding my solar panels to the form, can I include those panels I put on my business building?
A. Yes, please include every panel. Document this here.
Q. I added 20 solar panels to my roof in 2018. Do I log these panels?
A. Yes, please list any panels you have ever installed.
Q. If I paid for a roof top solar installation on my son’s home can I log those panels.
A. Yes
Q. I bought rooftop solar panels and installed them on my office building in 2020. Do these count toward the MSPC and can I log them?
A. Yes please log them here document this here.
Q. My Rotary club donated solar panels to an overseas project. Can I log these panels
A. Yes you may and be sure that the donated panels are logged only once to avoid duplication
Q. I contributed to a solar installation but I am not a Rotarian or a member of ESRAG. Can I log the solar panels?
A. No. However we would love for you to consider joining Rotary/ESRAG
Q. I am a Rotarian and a solar installer. Can I log all the solar panels that I have installed as part of my business after all this is my time and talent.
A. No. If a Rotarian makes a profit/salary by installing solar panels these panels cannot be logged. However these panels can be logged by the homeowner who purchased the solar installation from you if they are Rotary Members.
Q. Do small solar reading lights or small garden walkway lights count toward the MSPC.
A. No. This challenge specifically documents larger photovoltaic solar panels
Q. If through my talent I spend significant time without remuneration, facilitating a solar installation that would otherwise not have occurred, can I log those panels
A. Yes. Be sure that these panels are logged only once
Q. I subscribe to Community Solar, can I claim to have purchased solar panels?
A. You absolutely have invested in solar. You will need to review your subscription agreement which may tell you how many solar panels you have been assigned or it may tell you the amount of electricity generated. If the latter you will need to convert the amount of electricity to solar panels. As an example, if in your area, a 400 watt solar panels produced 600 kilowatt hour per year then you would need to divide the output documented for your community solar panels by 600 to obtain the number of solar panels
Solar Resources
Make an Impact
As we move forward with the MSPC, we will fund the purchase of solar installations for disadvantaged individuals and communities.
Habitat Solar
Magnify the benefits of solar by partnering with your local Habitat affiliate to put solar on the home of a low income family. Solar is the gift that keeps on giving for 30 years.
Renewable Energy Taskforce
To encourage, educate and offer support for those involved in renewable energy projects worldwide.
MILLION SOLAR PANELS
Educational Information
Tiny solar lamps spotlight the urgency of energy transition
by Ariel Miller, ESRAG Newsletter Editor Solar Light Campaign striving to Leave Noone Behind Buffalo, NY, September, 2024: Founded by American Rotarian Sarah Baird, a small nonprofit is leveraging $15 solar lights into a campaign to convince global stakeholders to...
Great News! Reusing solar panels counts towards million solar panel goal
By Elizabeth Henke, MD, Lead, Million Solar Panel Campaign Reusing older solar panels qualifies for ESRAG’s Million Solar Panel Challenge. Rotarians and Rotaractors: whether you buy new or used solar panels for yourself or those less fortunate, please log your solar...
Solarizing two small homes yields giant impact
Making solar energy available to new homeowners will reduce monthly expenses for low-income families, reduce air pollution, and decrease carbon emissions.
Let’s get to a million.
Tell us how many solar panels you or your club have already installed.
We will highlight how many solar panels Rotarians have already purchased for themselves or others and so encourage more deployment of solar across the globe.
