A Santa Barbara-based company announced Monday it has completed installation of a 27.6-kilowatt solar power system at the Ventura headquarters of Patagonia, an outdoor apparel and equipment company.

Solforce Corp. installed SunPower solar panels on the roof of Patagonia’s Firehouse, 259 West Santa Clara Street, which is an energy-efficient, sustainably designed building. The solar system is expected to offset half of the building’s total energy use. Patagonia has had a 66-kilowatt solar parking canopy at its headquarters since 2005.

“Generating our own clean, renewable solar power supports Patagonia’s deep commitment to sustainability and reduces our operating expenses,” said Patagonia’s Elissa Loughman.

Solforce was founded in 2001 in Santa Barbara. San Jose-based SunPower Corp. has designed, manufactured, and delivered solar panels and systems for about 25 years.

50 YEARS OF SMILES: After almost half a century on the South Coast, Johnson Family Dental will have a grand opening black and white gala on October 13, 4-8 p.m., at its new location, 3906 State Street. The event will include appetizers, tours of the office, a ribbon cutting, a raffle, and the winner of a free smile makeover will be announced.

“Our goal is to build relationships with our patients and their families so they can benefit from good oral health from childhood through adulthood and their senior years,” says Dr. Steven Johnson. The practice has been serving this community for almost 50 years, beginning with Dr. Gary Johnson Sr. Today his son, Dr. Steven Johnson, along with Drs. Von J. Holbrook, Laszlo Petruska, Shawn Hlavaty, and Jeffery Plicka, comprise a diverse family of dental professionals.

As part of their grand opening, Johnson Family Dental is giving away a free smile makeover, as well as 25 percent off veneers. The new office is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Johnson Family Dental also has offices in Solvang and Ventura.

SENIOR CARE AGENCY: After 22 years in operation, one of the South Coast’s most unique businesses is celebrating its expansion into Montecito.

Senior Planning Services, Santa Barbara’s first geriatric managed home-care agency, will host a “meet and greet” event to celebrate the company’s new office at 1485 East Valley Road in Montecito’s Upper Village on October 11, noon-6 p.m.

The company will introduce Coastal Home Care, a new name for the its in-home care-giving services division. The company has offered such services since 1995. The new division has been developed to offer more affordable, specially screened and trained caregivers, with a new logo and satellite office, said Suzanne McNeeley, founder and president of Senior Planning Services.

Those who attend the meet and greet will have the opportunity to speak with McNeeley, her elder care managers and consultants, and to reconnect with neighbors throughout the afternoon. Participants will have a chance to win a dinner for two at Via Vai restaurant. A complimentary consultation with a Senior Planning Services elder care expert will be offered to all who come by the event.

“Aging can be wonderful and graceful for families, and we want to make sure the entire community knows we are here to help them face the special challenges with useful expertise and support,” McNeeley said.

For more information, call (805) 969-3312.

The South Coast Biz Blog is a roundup of the latest business news in the Santa Barbara area and is written by Ray Estrada, restrada_2001@yahoo.com, who has covered business in the region for numerous publications over the past three decades. See more at independent.com/biz and wordpress.com/southcoastbizblog.

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