RREAL was founded in 2000 by Jason Edens, a high school teacher with a keen interest in solar technologies and a vision for a better way to help struggling families through the winter. Supported by a group of dedicated volunteers, RREAL operated from Jason’s basement and garage for five years. RREAL remained an all volunteer organization until 2005, when organizational development and fundraising had matured to a point where Jason was able to dedicate himself full-time.

RREAL has been mushrooming in growth ever since. Late in 2006, a significant jump in RREAL’s capacity was made through the Americorps VISTA program. RREAL has had available the talents of 7 full-time VISTA members. Find out about their work here.

RREAL is now far from its humble basement roots, and operates out of a fully equipped facility on the Hunt Utilities Group research campus in Pine River. We are a lean, green, fully functioning manufacturing, contracting, research and advocacy machine!