Summer Festivals Celebrate the Sun and Energy Independence
by Alison Pernell
Daily sunlight hours are waning as we approach the fall equinox, but this hasn’t kept solar energy advocates from celebrating the potential
to tap in to the world’s most renewable resource, photon rays from the sun. Two solar festivals in August drew thousands of participants
who came to learn about grid-tied solar energy systems. The solar fairs followed on the heels of massive power outages in the Northeast United
States that reminded consumers and governments of the fragility of the electrical grid and associated costs of grid failure.
Solar Sebastopol
The Solar Sebastopol program was publicly launched on August 17th at the Sebastopol Community Center. The fair drew over 2,000 participants
who came to learn how to tap into the City’s program with the dual promise of reduced solar equipment pricing to consumers, and one
megawatt of new solar power to Sebastopol by 2005. The program will help local homes, businesses and civic buildings purchase and install
solar energy systems. Leading by example, the City has already installed two photovoltaic arrays on municipal facilities.
Cooperative Community Energy is helping the City implement the program by providing design services and equipment. CC Energy will help arrange
low-interest financing as well as handle all building permit, California Energy Commission rebate, and utility paperwork. CC Energy will
cover the portion of the cost of the solar energy system covered by the CEC rebate in order to reduce the initial price to the consumer.
Equipment prices are reduced up to 35% below retail cost through bulk purchasing.
The local economy is due to benefit from Solar Sebastopol, as the program prioritizes contracting with local electricians and solar installers.
Solar Sebastopol’s one megawatt goal will annually reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2,435 tons of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas,
4.5 tons of nitrogen oxides, and 4.6 tons of sulphur dioxide.
For more information about Solar Sebastopol, call (877) 228-8700 or visit the Cooperative
Community Energy or City of Sebastopol web sites.
Sol Fest
The Solar Living Institute’s 8th annual renewable energy and sustainable living fair was held August 23rd and 24th in Hopland, CA.
Thousands of people flocked to the Solar Living Institute’s 12 acres of permaculture gardens and its solar and wind powered straw bale
retail store to attend over 60 workshops on topics ranging from renewable energy, green building, and sustainable agriculture. The former
brownfield site is a shining example of how green business is good business.
The Solar Living Institute has been working with the California Energy Commission to provide solar installer education and training throughout
the State. In additional to offering classes on wind, micro-hydro, and PV systems, the Institute also offers classes on strawbale construction,
permaculure, water planning issues, and more.
For additional information, call (707) 744-2017 or visit the SolFest web
site.
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