Since 2002 our company has successfully designed and installed over 10 green home projects involving solar electric and solar thermal systems.  Quixotic Systems recently installed a solar thermal system at Pomona, NY consisting of a large vacuum tube collector system tied in to the home’s main hydronic system, providing a high percentage of the domestic hot water throughout the year, pool heating, and radiant space heating in winter. This system not only reduces the hot water and heating bills considerably, but also prevents the generation of tonnes of Carbon dioxide (a major greenhouse gas) and reduces the reliance on conventional fuels. This system is one of the first solar hot water-space heating systems in New York state and one of the largest residential systems employing vacuum tubes("Heat pipes").  We are affiliated with New York state Solar Energy Association, ASHRAE, ASME, SunSeeker Solar Car.

Since 1978, we have designed and installed over 50,000 solar systems. Our Residential Solar division focuses strictly on the design and installation of photovoltaic, grid-intertied systems (solar-electric). We run Solar Living Institute (Hopland, CA)—a non-profit institute in Northern Cal. where we teach green building courses et al.

Graham Irwin has been working in the construction industry as a carpenter, general contractor and building designer since 1991. He relocated to the Bay area in 2001 and has built a successful design and consulting practice while restoring his own home, a 1922 California Bungalow. Dedicated to making the construction process accessible to the public, Graham teaches popular Community Extension classes on building permits, green building, remodeling and construction. He is an NCBDC Certified Professional Building Designer, a Professional Member of the American Institute of Building Design® and a licensed general contractor. A committed environmentalist, Graham is a member of Architects, Designers and Planners for Social Responsibility, The US Green Building Council and Build It Green, and is a Certified Green Building Professional.

We have done three large green home renovations and several smaller ones. In one large project we reused and recycled demolition lumber, cabinets and fixtures. Then we installed bamboo floors, Neil Kelly Cabinets, a 92 percent efficient furnace, dual flush toilets, a water-saving washer and dishwasher, non-formaldehyde insulation and shelving, and Trex decking. Our first light green project was completed in 1999 and the first that was significantly green was completed in 2005. Mark Nelson has completed Build It Green’s certified green building class and is a member of that organization.

All of our projects are “green.” We are Home Performance Contractors specializing in residential energy efficiency and comfort solutions. We test, prescribe, and perform the remediation work to make any home more comfortable, healthier to live in, and more energy efficient. We have been building green since the 1990s and have been doing Home Performance work for the past five years. We are Certified Green Building Professionals (Build It Green), Certified Shell and Heating Systems Experts (BPI), HERS raters (CalCerts), Green Points raters, Certified Energy Plans Examiners (CABEC), Certified Remodelers (NARI), and Certified Kitchen and Bath Remodelers (NARI). 

Rory Howland General Contracting is commited to building better equality remodeling projects in the Santa Cruz community. We improve people’s homes using responsibily selected materials. Our focus is on improving homes without degrading the environment. Certified Green Building Professionals and members of Built It Green and the US Green Building Council. Northern California Chapter.

Completed October 2006 a 10 unit Bed & Breakfast renovation in Davenport - LEED certified project.

Residential bathroom & Kitchen remodels with green point score ratings from Alameda County.

I’ve completed several garden and landscape designs considered green, and have worked for other Landscape Architects on green residential and housing landscape projects, such as the first sustainable Sunset Idea Home in Menlo Park.  A key project I’ve completed is the Paradise residence in Mountain View, CA, where we recycled the broken concrete and re-used the old bricks on the site in the new design, found ways to manage storm water runoff by directing it into an underground chamber and letting it re-charge the ground water on site, used permeable paving materials, drip irrigation, a “smart” ET irrigation controller, and native plants.  We installed a “no-mow” sod lawn, which is drought tolerant and needs mowing only occasionally. 

Our first green project was completed in 1999, in Los Altos, using similar techniques as the one described.  We attend USGBC meetings in Moss Landing, CA.

Sandra Slater Environments is a design and consulting firm committed to the integration of aesthetics and sustainable building practices. 1001 Emerson, the firm’s demonstration home, was toured by over 1,200 architects, designers and interested homebuilders during its first year to study various aspects of green building. 

We’ve designed 8 green home projects. A hybrid ‘Earthship’ in Taos in 1992 which heats itself through freezing winters maximizes sustainability and resource use.  We work with LEED consultants, focusing on biomorphic designs that combine green technologies with organic architecture.  We also do energy for living in balance.

Shubin+Donaldson Architects have completed 50 green home projects since 1990.  We are pivotally involved in the development of many residential, commercial, and service projects at Loreto Bay, Baja Mexico, where design attitudes towards energy and resource efficiency are held paramount.  The development’s green sensibilities extend across all project types, attempting to preserve local tradition and culture while being enhanced by the use of smart technologies, advanced building systems, and the sensitive selection of appropriate and environmentally conscious materials.  Two of our staff are LEED Accredited, and we are affiliated with the USGBC and Los Angeles Business Council (Energy Committee).