Solarize Santa Barbara Launches

Gathered at the home of NancyBell Coe and Bill Burke, the nonprofit Community Environmental Council (CEC) held a press conference announcing the launch of Solarize Santa Barbara, a program dedicated to providing local homeowners with easy and affordable solar electric systems.

The program launched May 24 and continues through August 18. The CEC has paired up with two locally owned companies, California Solar Electric and Sun Pacific Solar Electric, Inc., to create a group purchasing model that offers homeowners discounted prices on solar electric systems, as well as free, independent solar advising.

First District Supervisor Salud Carbajal said at the presser, “Programs like these that promote clean energy are what can help us reach the goal of a sustainable future. We must all work together to create a movement toward the kind of world we want to live in.”

“A major aspect of this program is education to homeowners,” said CEC Energy Program Associate April Price. At two introductory workshops, experts will school homeowners on solar energy and answer questions on the technical and financial aspects of solar electric systems.

These workshops take place from 6-8 p.m., Thursday, June 2 at the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara’s Jefferson Hall (1535 Santa Barbara Street), and from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 21 in Room 1 of the Goleta Valley Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue).