California Center for Sustainable Energy

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (September 30, 2008) -  Solar energy is making major strides in San Diego County with more than 35 MW of photovoltaic ( PV) panels currently installed on area rooftops and parking structures. As a sign of San Diego''s leadership in solar installations, the city will host both the fourth annual California Center for Sustainable Energy''s ( CCSE) Solar Energy Week and the Solar Power International 2008 Conference and Expo beginning Sunday, October 12th and extending through Saturday, October 18th, 2008.

CCSE''s Family Solar Day will kick off Solar Energy Week on Sunday, October 12th This year’s Family Solar Day will take place from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the breathtaking Spanish Landing Park overlooking the San Diego Harbor. With music, solar demonstrations, equipment displays, activities for the kids, solar cooking demonstrations and the latest in solar technology, this event is fun for the whole family!

The Solar Power International 2008 Conference and Expo will take place Monday, October 13th through Friday, October 17th at the San Diego Convention Center. More than 15,000 consumers and solar industry professionals are expected to attend more than 60 conference sessions to learn about new technologies, equipment advances, market trends, policy developments and tour the large exhibit hall.

This year CCSE''s conference will be a part of the Solar Power International 2008 (SP08) with “California Day” taking place on Wednesday, October 15th between 10am and 5:30pm. One day, ‘Expo Only,’ passes for California Day are available for purchase for $100 and the expo hall will be open to the public that evening free of charge. San Diegans interested in solar technology are encouraged to walk the showroom floor and speak with local customers, installers, vendors, and government employees for information about the benefits of solar energy.

Consumers are also encouraged to attend the free solar forum sponsored by the California Public Utilities Commission and CCSE starting at 6pm on public night, Wednesday, October 15. The solar forum will provide information and updates on the California Solar Initiative which provides financial rebates for the installation of PV.

Solar installations are on the rise all over the city and solar enthusiasts can get an up close look at local businesses and homes with solar technology. Consumers can tour sites where PV has been installed on commercial buildings throughout the region.The Commercial Solar Tour takes place both on Monday, October 13th and Friday, October 17th. Some of the Commercial Solar Tour site destinations include: the City of San Diego - Alvarado Water Treatment Facility, San Diego Children''s Museum, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Training Facility and UCSD-Gilman Parking Structure.

On Saturday, October 18th conference attendees and locals can check out residential solar installations on the self-guided eighth annual San Diego Solar Homes Tour. More than 40 homes throughout San Diego County are included on the Solar Homes Tour Map. Participants can just pick the home sites they want to visit and show up anytime between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Both the homeowner and installer will be on hand to talk about their experience with solar. Check out www.solarenergyweek.org for more details!
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