Solar Sonoma County - Everything Under the Sun
Community solar fair serves up everything
under the sun on solar and efficiency
From the West County Gazette On-Line
Sunday, June 7, 2009
JOIN US ON SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2009 -- THE SOLSTICE!
SOLAR SONOMA COUNTY SOLAR FAIR: Solar and Efficiency for Clean Energy
11 am-6 pm
Finley Community Center, Santa Rosa
FREE ADMISSION!
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Solar Sonoma County, in partnership with Pacific Gas & Electric, presents a free community Solar Fair on the Solstice – Saturday, June 20, 2009 – 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Finley Center and Park. With the theme “Solar & Efficiency for Clean Energy,” this event will bring together in one convenient venue everything Sonoma County homeowners and businesses need to know to reduce their energy costs and go solar. How do people know whether solar is right for their home or business? … How much does a solar system cost? … What kinds of financing options are available? … Where can property owners get reliable information and resources? … What else can be done to reduce energy use and save money?
The June 20 Solar Fair has something for everyone – regardless of whether they are candidates for solar – including an array of opportunities to learn about energy efficiency, green jobs, and local renewable energy initiatives and programs. The day will include keynote speakers, panel discussions, workshops, solar energy displays, energy efficiency information, solar vendor booths, nonprofit/public agency educational booths, and resources for green jobs.
“One of Solar Sonoma County’s main objectives is to give the public the tools they need to be informed and take action – whether it’s to go solar, reduce their energy use, or find other ways to participate in the shift to renewable energy. We are launching the solar fair as our first major public event to do this in a practical yet fun way,” says Marty Roberts, Solar Sonoma County Program Director and solar fair event producer. “We are very excited to let people know everything Solar Sonoma County is working on to ensure solar energy becomes an easy logical choice.”
Panelists will cover such topics as …
· Sonoma County’s new public financing program for solar – the Sonoma County Energy Independence Program – offering local property owners no-money-down financing for efficiency and solar projects.
· What are federal, state, county, and local representatives doing to make solar easier and more affordable.
· What kinds of green jobs training resources and opportunities are available right now in Sonoma County to build the green workforce that is already starting to drive Sonoma County’s next wave of economic growth.
Workshops will enable fair goers to learn more and dig down into the details about …
· Making homes more energy efficient
· How to go solar – for both PV & Hot Water
· Financing options for solar and energy efficiency
· Solar and energy efficiency for business
Speakers throughout the day will include …
· Kevin Danaher, Global Exchange
· Panama Bartholomy, California Energy Commission
· Randy DeCaminada, PG&E
· Rod Dole, Sonoma County Auditor
· Cordel Stillman, Sonoma County Water Agency
· Debora Fudge, Windsor Town Council
· Susan Gorin, Santa Rosa Mayor
· Shirlee Zane, Sonoma County Supervisor
· Assemblywoman Noreen Evans
· State Senator Mark Leno
· State Senator Pat Wiggins
· U.S. Representative Lynn Woolsey
· Oscar Chavez, CAP Solar Training Program
· Dave Shufro, Agilent Technologies
Plus other speakers to be announced soon!
Because the solar fair will offer so many different elements, the Finley Center and Finley Park will be arranged into zones, or special areas designated by category, such as:
The Solar Vendor Zone, sponsored by Sunpower, featuring more than 20 local, regional, and national solar companies staffed by solar professionals ready to speak directly with fair goers and answer their specific questions about solar.
The Energy Efficiency Zone with local energy efficiency businesses and service providers, retrofit contractors, and The Pathway to Clean Energy, a step-by-step interactive learning experience covering specific measures to maximize energy efficiency and cut costs before going solar – also known as the principle of “First Reduce, then Produce.” Pathway visitors will receive “passports” that get marked at each successive step/display along the way to clean energy. Holders of completed passports will be entered to win a free whole house performance analysis (valued at $600).
The Green Jobs Zone, sponsored by Assemblywoman Noreen Evans and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 551, with booths and displays of local businesses, nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and schools focused on green jobs training programs and opportunities.
The Family Fun Zone with solar and energy efficiency fun and activities for all ages including solar-powered toys, solar oven cookie baking, hands-on demonstrations showing how solar works, face painting, storytelling, and more.
And of course the solar fair will feature solar-powered live local music, local food vendors, and local wines and organic beers.
This free community event is made possible through the support of the U.S. Department of Energy and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District as well as the following sponsors and partners: Sonoma County Water Agency, City of Santa Rosa, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 551, SunPower Corporation/SolarWorks/SolarCraft, Solar Depot, groSolar, Assemblymember Noreen Evans, KRCB, North Bay Bohemian, Sprint Copy Center of Sebastopol, and many, many more solar companies and local businesses.
About Solar Sonoma County
The solar fair on Saturday, June 20, 2009 marks the launch of Solar Sonoma County’s public outreach and education campaign to raise awareness and educate the public about our countywide solar goal of 25 new Megawatts of solar energy by 2011 while providing resources and inspiring people to reduce their energy usage and go solar.
Solar Sonoma County is a consortium of local governments, businesses, agencies, nonprofit groups, and individuals working together to bring solar energy and energy efficiency into the mainstream in Sonoma County. The shift to clean energy will reduce long-term energy costs and carbon emissions while stimulating the local and regional economy by creating new jobs. Local partners include all 10 local governments, the Sonoma County Water Agency, Pacific Gas & Electric, Agilent Technologies, the IBEW Local 551, 30+ solar companies, and many local businesses and individuals. Solar Sonoma County is one of 25 premier U.S. Department of Energy Solar America Cities programs – with the distinction of being the only countywide one. Learn more about Solar Sonoma County and our Solar Fair on June 20, 2009 – the Solstice! – at
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Lori Houston, Associate Director
SOLAR SONOMA COUNTY
Promoting solar countywide
707.284.9799 | 707.569.6029 cell
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