California Center for Sustainable Energy

San Diegans shared the California Center for Sustainable Energy’s ( CCSE) 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 in San Diego, 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 Sustainable energy, 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 Director of Sustainability at Qualcomm, Gail Welch.

The Commercial Solar tours gave participants an up close look at the leaders in Solar Technology. Tour attendees were able to check out The Children’s Museum, The Solar trees at UCSD, 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 was part of the Solar Power International 2008 with “California Day” taking place on Wednesday, October 15th. CCSE staff was highlighted with packed workshops at the Convention Center. California Solar Initiative residential program manager, Ben Airth, took attendees through the steps of “Solar for homeowners.”
Program Manager, Annie Henderson and Energy Engineer, Skip Fralick spoke to a packed hall as well, presenting the Solar Water Heating Pilot program.

Wrapping up the eventful week, on Saturday, conference attendees and locals checked out residential solar installations on the self-guided eighth 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 our fossil fuels, it is imperative to provide different types of outreach such as our Family Solar Day, commercial solar tours, workshops and self-guided solar homes tour to provide education to both the residential and commercial markets. Solar generates energy through a natural and free source.. the Sun” said CCSE’s Events manager Lauri Walker.

The 4th annual Solar Energy Week proved a great success for San Diego and CCSE!

SOLAR ENERGY WEEK BACKGROUND

What: 4th Annual Solar Energy Week
Solar energy activities for everyone from families and kids, to engineers and policy makers.

2008 Events included:

• Family Solar Day
• Commercial Solar Tours
• Solar Power Conference & Expo 2008
• 9th Annual San Diego Solar Homes Tour

When: Sunday, October 12th thru Saturday, October 18th
Where: Throughout San Diego County

Why: To increase the adoption of clean, renewable solar energy solutions for generating power and saving energy.

Event Details

Family Solar Day
Sunday, October 12, 2008
1:00pm to 4:00pm
Family Solar Energy Day is becoming a family tradition! Kids and parents not only learn about solar and the environment, but have a great time doing it. This year’s event will take place at the breathtaking Spanish Landing Park overlooking the San Diego Harbor. A historical landmark, the site commemorates the 1769 meeting of the Gaspar DePortola and Father Junipero Serra expeditions.

Come join us and race solar mini cars, enter to win prizes with our Sun Drawing Contest, participate in solar powered experiments and learn just how solar works. You’ll even get to dance to a solar powered band! Parents will get the chance to talk with local installers and find out if solar is right for their home or business.

Attendees are encouraged to trade up to five incandescent light bulbs for energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) (offer limited to 5 bulbs per calendar year per residence). Please bring a valid California ID and/or your SDGE® bill. The CFL exchange is sponsored by The City of San Diego and SDGE®.

If you are a company interested in exhibiting at Family Solar Day reserve your space by downloading the form.

Commercial Solar Tour
Monday, October 13th & Friday, October 17th
9:00am to 4:00pm
Commercial Solar Tour 2008 is a guided bus tour of local commercial businesses showcasing various solar technologies and applications. Each Tour site will have the business contact and the solar installer present to answer questions. Sign up for the tours is available through the Solar Power Conference & Expo website.

Solar Power Conference & Expo
Monday, October 13th thru Friday, October 17th
This year CCSE will forgo its annual Solar Conference and work with the Solar Power Conference & Expo (SP08) to provide “Southern California Day” where exhibitors will encourage local staff at the booth to speak with local business customers, local installers, local government employees, etc.

9th Annual San Diego Solar Homes Tour
Saturday, October 18th
10:00am to 3:00pm
The San Diego Solar Homes Tour is quite possibly the longest running and most popular tour in California. Celebrating our ninth year of the tour, over 40 homes throughout San Diego County are participating. This self-guided tour offers real-life, working examples of three residential solar energy technologies: solar electric (photovoltaics), solar water heating and solar pool heating.

Just pick the home sites you want to visit and show up anytime between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Look for the Solar Homes Tour lawn sign and you’ll know you’re in the right place! Both the homeowner and installer will be on hand to talk about their experience with solar. To view solar homes sites click here.