Flood Destroys Solar Living Center

I have every sympathy for the individuals concerned, who have lost so much... though the centre should have had adequate insurance to cover loss of personal property and the main fixtures of the centre... avoiding insurance is one thing, but doing so in an area with even the slightest risk of flood is daft... and why the fire at the same time? did someone cut corners on isolation?
renewables have a place, not just in the way we live, but WHERE they are used... I suggest the centre is placed on higher ground, where there is less shade, more wind, and no chance of flooding... my own venture is 135metres above sea level, and last flooded when the galcial ice was receding many tens of thousands of years ago.. great sun, from dawn to dusk, and a quirk if the undulations gave a perfect spot for the turbine.

Thanks to all who have helped in rebuilding the SLI. We welcome comments that will help us prevent future impacts from flooding. The cost of land in California requires a balance between accessibility and other concerns. The benefit of our site is our location on a major highway, enabling us to reach 200,000 people a year, many of whom would never be exposed to sustainability if not for our presence here. All the main buildings and landscape survived unscathed. In the case of the landscape, the rich deposits of river-bottom silt are a blessing.
The biggest flood in 50 years has taught us many lessons. We would like to assure everybody that the reconstruction of the site will take place with the newly defined water line clearly in mind. The result will be a better site: more beautiful, more intelligently laid out, and more sustainable. For everyone coming to Hopland for workshops, tours, or SolFest this year, you will find that we will emerge stronger and better.
Doron Amiran
SLI