California Center for Sustainable Energy

Special Events Program Assistant, Kara Holman, reports on CCSE’s signature annual event.

San Diegans shared CCSE’s mission of promoting change for a clean energy future by showing their strong support throughout the 4th annual Solar Energy Week. The festivities kicked off with an action-packed Family Solar Day at the beautiful Spanish Landing Park overlooking San Diego harbor, on Sunday, October 12th. With music, solar cooking demonstrations, face painting, coloring contests and the latest in solar technologies, adults and kids couldn’t get enough of the solar-powered fun! Qualcomm, sharing in CCSE’s mission of a clean energy future, was proud to be this year’s Family Solar Day sponsor.

“Hopefully, by highlighting the many solar installations that businesses and homes have completed in San Diego, the environmental awareness level will rise and more people will be inspired to participate in projects like this to increase their environmental stewardship,” said Qualcomm’s Director of Sustainability, Gail Welch.

The Commercial Solar Tours gave participants an up-close look at local leaders in solar technology. Tour attendees were able to check out the Children’s Museum, the solar trees at UCSD, the Alvarado Water Treatment Facility and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers’ (IBEW) solar installation. IBEW was proud to be the Commercial Solar Tour Sponsor this year, getting out their message of “moving San Diego forward.”

“It is important to us to show our commitment to the community that we will provide qualified electricians and have the ability to perform the installation of the latest in technology to secure San Diego’s energy future,” said IBEW president Patrick Knighton.

This year CCSE’s conference portion of Solar Energy Week was part of the Solar Power International 2008. CCSE featured prominently at the conference, particularly on “California Day,” which took place on Wednesday, October 15th. CCSE staff presented workshops to packed rooms at the Convention Center. California Solar Initiative Residential Program Manager, Ben Airth, took attendees through the steps of “Solar for Homeowners,” while CCSE’s Program Manager, Annie Henderson, and Energy Engineer, Skip Fralick, presented information about the Solar Water Heating Pilot program to a full house.

Wrapping up the eventful week, on Saturday, conference attendees and locals checked out residential solar installations on the self-guided 9th Annual San Diego Solar Homes Tour. More than 40 homes throughout San Diego County took part in the tour.

“Energy is a volatile and ever-changing market. That, in addition to the depletion of fossil fuels, makes it imperative to provide different types of outreach, such as CCSE's Family Solar Day, Commercial Solar Tours, workshops and the self-guided Solar Homes Tour. These Solar Energy Week activities provide education to both the residential and commercial markets. Solar energy is both natural and free,” said CCSE’s Events Manager Lauri Walker. “The 4th annual Solar Energy Week was a great success for both San Diego and CCSE!”