Update via the SolaRoofGuy:
“Eric, I appreciate your update on the Open Structure development.
I would like to update you about SolaRoof, which is still progressing – but slowly – as an OpenSource technology under our Creative Commons Public License.
Our approach is to identify activity such as: DIY, education, research and humanitarian use of SolaRoof to be non-commercial use, which is accorded FREE access and use under conditions of Attribution and Share-Alike. The commercial use of our technology additionally calls for a PayItForward commitment for support of humanitarian projects. Our reserve on commercial use rights is intended to generate support from the commercial sector, especially those in the industrialized world, that will assist the projects initiated by our DIY community in poor communities and “emerging economies” where SolaRoof can strengthen the capacity for sustainable living.
The PayItForward commitment has also been called an Honor Payment, since it is an ethical obligation rather than a legal obligation for the commercial users. Non-commercial users are also encouraged to cooperate to establish PayItForward projects. My new initiative to mobilize the power of global collaboration and cooperation is called DIYFood. I am launching the DIYFood Campaign on 10/10/10, which is a day for Work Parties to present grassroots solutions for Global Warming that has been organized by 350.ORG. I anticipate that we will showcase several DIYFood projects on the launch date and the campaign is to mobilize commitments to establish 350 DIYFood projects (by DIYers) before this year-end.
SolaRoof structural systems for DIY are very accessible and low-tech, but do encourage use of advanced materials technology. SolaRoof DIY uses commodity materials that can be used “off-the-shelf” or fabricated with hand or small power tools. The base structure system for backyard solar greenhouse construction in America or Europe is light aluminum angle and flat bar. The covering material is polyfilm or polyfabric. Mechanical systems use components from other consumer market sectors – the swimming pool and heat pump components or if DC power is preferred then from automotive and boating parts supply.
The key idea that makes SolaRoof a viral factor that will be big with DIY is that our methods for solar energy capture and use are incredibly low cost and simple and now SolaRoof will establish with DIYFood a more accessible and documented package of knowhow that will enable a wide spread use of specific successful patterns of construction (modularity) so that we will see rapid replication and diffusion of DIYFood methods (tunnel greenhouses) everywhere. I am looking for maximum impact and global PR for DIYFood on the launch date of 10/10/10 and ask you and anyone who is excited about DIY hacks for the big items – shelter, controlled environment, food, water, energy – that will make a difference if they go viral to get involved.
From this date to our 11/11/11 date – the Eleventh Hour campaign – we would like to see DIYFood go viral and build up a huge community of global collaboration and cooperative enterprise network.”