California Center for Sustainable Energy

Proclamation recognizes role of California Center for Sustainable Energy in city’s solar energy successes

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (Sept. 17, 2009)— The San Diego City Council will designate Sept. 27 to Oct. 3 as Solar Energy Week in San Diego by presenting a proclamation to the California Center for Sustainable Energy ( CCSE) at the council’s session on Tuesday, Sept. 22. The proclamation, initiated by Councilmember Carl DeMaio, will be given to Robert Noble, CEO of Envision Solar of San Diego and chairman of the center’s board of directors.

The proclamation recognizes CCSE’s important role in implementing solar energy for residential and commercial uses in San Diego through public workshops, incentive programs and technical assistance. The week coincides with CCSE’s Solar Energy Week outreach activities that include a free, public Family Solar Day, an all-day solar conference and tours of commercial buildings and homes with solar installations.

The city council measure commends CCSE for leading the way to a clean energy future by “bringing together San Diego residents and businesses with solar experts, suppliers and installers to explore the benefits of using sunlight for electricity and water heating.” CCSE was cited as one of the main reasons why San Diego is now California’s No. 1 solar city, according to a report issued in July assessing solar distribution in the state by the Environment California Research & Policy Center. The report credited San Diego with more than 2,260 solar installations producing nearly 19.5 megawatts of solar-electric power.

“We are extremely grateful to the city for this recognition of Solar Energy Week because it shows their commitment to the widespread adoption of solar technologies,” said Irene Stillings, CCSE executive director. “When local homeowners and business owners are ready to plan a solar electric or water heating system, CCSE can assist with rebates, workshops, technical advice and information about financing options and qualified installers."

Solar Energy Week is San Diego’s most comprehensive solar energy event, featuring activities for everyone from families and kids to engineers and policymakers, according to Stillings.

Solar Energy Week festivities kick off with a free Family Solar Day at historic Liberty Station in Point Loma on Sunday, Sept 27, from 12:00 p.m. to 4 p.m. Some of the activities include interactive, hands-on exhibits, solar experiments, solar cooking demonstrations, a coloring contest for kids, food, games and more. The event provides opportunities to ask energy experts questions about solar solutions and technologies in a casual, relaxed atmosphere.

The week continues with an all-day San Diego Solar Conference on Tuesday, Sept. 29, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Marriott Mission Valley hotel, 8757 Rio San Diego Drive, San Diego. The conference and expo explores the latest in policy, trends, technologies and many other important solar industry issues. The conference offers break-out sessions on financing and rebates, policy and planning, clean technology and green jobs workforce development. Keynote speakers include San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob and CCSE Director of Programs Andrew McAllister. Registration is $25, including lunch and a cocktail reception. Register at www.solarenergyweek.org/conference.

On Saturday, Oct. 3, CCSE joins with the American Solar Energy Society to showcase residential homes with solar technology throughout the county in the 10th Annual Solar Homes Tour. This self-guided tour includes dozens of homes and gives visitors the opportunity to speak with homeowners and installers about their systems. Solar technologies on display include solar electric (photovoltaic), solar water heating and solar pool heating. For locations of homes on the tour, visit the website www.solarenergyweek.org.

According to Stillings, one of the main barriers to the massive implementation of solar will be greatly reduced in the next year or two. The considerable up-front costs will become more manageable with a variety of financing options, she said. These programs, which will be rolling out in 2010, will allow property owners to finance solar systems with loans tied to their property tax payments over periods up to 20 years.

Major sponsors for Solar Energy Week are Qualcomm Inc., International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Wal-Mart, Cox Conserves, Potero Energy, Sullivan Solar Power, Greenhouse Builders, Solar Plus, Photon Solar Power, Siliken, REC Solar, Mitsubishi Electric and SDG&E. For more information about Solar Energy Week, call 858-244-1177 or visit www.solarenergyweek.org.