Tickets now available for annual Solar Roots Party

Tickets are now on sale for the Solar Roots Party, happening Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, 2026, at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, California. The event celebrates the early days of residential solar power, tracing back to a group of off-grid homeowners in Northern California's forests who helped turn solar panels into a mainstream home energy source.

As part of the gathering, a new documentary called "Solar Roots – The Pioneers of PV" will have its world premiere at the Del Oro Theater. Filmmakers Jeff Spies and Jason Vetterli spent more than ten years on the project, interviewing over 50 people involved in solar's early history to capture their stories before they were lost. The film was shot in a straightforward, unpolished style meant to reflect the personalities and rural settings of the people who built the industry. After its premiere, the documentary will be released for free online so anyone can watch it.

This is more of a historical and community event than a source of rebates or technical news for homeowners. It brings together early solar adopters, current industry figures, and newcomers to mark how far home solar technology has come. If you're curious about the roots of the solar panels now common on rooftops, the party and film offer a look at how that technology started with a small group of hobbyists and grew into a major part of today's electricity supply.