Sebastopol, Calif., April 26, 2004 -- Solar Sebastopol, the City of Sebastopol’s campaign to reach one megawatt of solar energy by 2005, hosts the second annual Solar Sebastopol Fair & Celebration on Saturday, June 19, 2004 from 11:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Sebastopol Community Center. This year’s event is both a celebration and a rallying event for the second year of Sebastopol’s unique commitment to solar energy as a renewable and non-polluting source of electricity for residential, business, and municipal properties.

Last year, the city partnered with Cooperative Community Energy (CCEnergy), a North Bay Area solar cooperative, to manage Solar Sebastopol. The program is intended to promote Sebastopol's solar goal through educating people about solar energy, helping property owners determine whether solar makes practical and financial sense, arranging financing, and managing individual solar installation projects.

The fair’s community organizers chose this year’s event theme "Make this your year to go solar!" with the goal of providing fairgoers with substantive information and connecting them with practical resources to answer their specific questions and concerns about solar energy. Fairgoers will have the opportunity to:

• Talk to local solar installers.


• Hear government and renewable energy leaders speak.


• See the latest solar equipment.


• Learn everything they need to know about going solar from A to Z.


• Discover how businesses can cut costs and make money on a solar energy investment.
• Have fun all day!

SPEAKERS

In addition to local solar installer booths and solar equipment displays, the day’s events will include keynote speakers:

• Donald Aitken, Senior Consultant for the Union of Concerned Scientists, former national chairman of the American Solar Energy Society, leading green building architect, and expert on global climate change.


• Drew Bohan, Assistant Secretary on Policy, CalEPA, who will be working with Secretary Tamminen on the draft of the Governor’s solar policy.


• Fred Schwartz, manager of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Renewables and Advanced Generation.


• Larry Fahn, president of the Sierra Club (invited and will attend as schedule permits)


• Alexandra Von Meier, Ph.D., Sonoma State University Energy Professor and one of the original Solar Sebastopol task force members. Her students conducted the Sebastopol solar energy feasibility study in 2001 that lead to the city establishing the Solar Sebastopol program.

PANELS

A panel of speakers will address practical strategies for strengthening renewable energy public policy, including U.S. Rep. Lynn Woolsey; Calif. Assemblywoman Pat Wiggins; Sonoma County Supervisor Mike Reilly; Sebastopol City Council Member Sam Spooner; and Daniel Solnit, local community power activist.

Another panel will discuss the multiple benefits of solar energy, such as the environmental (reduced greenhouse gas emissions), financial (reduced costs and compelling investment incentives), and aesthetic (green building design) aspects. Panelists include:

• Dave Erickson, with Sonoma County Climate Protection Campaign


• Armando Navarro, Assistant Director of SSU Environmental Technology Center


• Solar finance consultant to be announced)

A third panel features a group of residential and business solar customers will talk about their experiences with going solar and answer questions.

WORKSHOPS

Several workshops will also be presented to interested fairgoers:

• "Getting Started with Solar" - An educational and practical workshop covering the essential information for making an informed decision about solar energy and demonstrating how it works. Participants are encouraged to bring along their PG&E bills for maximum personal benefit.


• "Solar Financial Incentives for You!" – Details about the many financial incentives available to h elp you go solar.


• A "Solar for Business" workshop will delve into solar energy’s compelling return on investment and unique cost incentives for businesses.

LIVE MUSIC AND MORE

The day will also feature live acoustic music all day with the Sonoma County Taiko drummers, the Farallons, Megan McElroy, Solar Flares, and the Rene Douglas Duo – all on a stage powered with solar energy provided by local event sponsor Affinity Energy.

Wine and beer tasting, food vendors, and a family-oriented Solar Fun Zone will round out the day, providing something for everyone who attends. Admission to the Solar Sebastopol Fair is free and open to the public.

The Solar Sebastopol Fair is being organized on behalf of the City of Sebastopol by a group of local citizens and volunteers who are committed to renewable energy and environmentally sound energy policy. Learn more about Sebastopol's community campaign to install 1 Megawatt of solar power in the Sebastopol area by 2005 by visiting: www.solarsebastopol.com.

The 2nd Annual Solar Sebastopol Fair and Celebration is made possible by the following generous sponsors and participants (to date):

LOCAL SPONSORS:

Advanced Alternative Energy Solutions
Affinity Energy
Alternative Energy Inc.
Cooperative Community Energy
GreenLight Solar
Sine Electric
Solar Works
Solaris Solar, Lighting, & Electric, Inc.
Sun Power & Geothermal Energy

NATIONAL SPONSORS:

BP Solar
Evergreen Solar
Kyocera Solar, Inc.
Sharp Solar

COMMUNITY SPONSORS:

City of Sebastopol
Sebastopol Chamber of Commerce

OTHER BOOTHS:

DC Power Systems
Harmony Farm Supply
Marin Solar
North Coast Solar Resources
Northern California Solar Energy Association
Safe-Bidco
San Francisco PUC Solar Display
Sebastopol Heat & Cool
SEI/Green Schools/Rebuild America
Solar SUV
Sonoma State University - ENSP

FOOD VENDORS:

Amazon Herb Co.
Sattvik Snacks
Slice of Life
Solar Ice Cream
Taylor Maid Farms Coffee
Whole Foods Market

WINE & BEER:

Andrew Lane Cellars
Dry Creek Vineyard
Hop Kiln Winery
Preston Vineyards
Rodney Strong Vineyards
Ukiah Brewing Co.

More about the fair
More about the Solar Sebastopol program