Sebastopol, Calif., July 17, 2003 -- More than 20 solar energy installers and solar equipment manufacturers will participate in the Solar Sebastopol Fair and Celebration on Sunday, August 17, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Sebastopol Community Center. This event officially kicks off Solar Sebastopol, an unprecedented municipal campaign to install 1 Megawatt of solar energy capacity at Sebastopol residences, businesses, and municipal buildings by 2005.

Solar Sebastopol is the City of Sebastopol's community wide commitment to renewable energy and environmentally sound energy policy. The city has partnered with Cooperative Community Energy (CCEnergy), a local solar equipment buyers’ cooperative, to raise general awareness about Sebastopol's solar goal, to educate people about solar energy, to help property owners determine whether solar makes practical and financial sense, and to manage individual solar installation projects. This unique program is receiving international attention since it may be ideal for smaller communities looking for partners to help lower costs for this renewable and non-polluting source of electricity.

On a practical level, the Solar Sebastopol Fair is a unique opportunity for Sebastopol residents and business owners to learn more about the Solar Sebastopol program and to decide whether solar energy is the right choice for them. The fair is bringing together all the key resources and nuts-and-bolts information in one place at one time:

• Experienced, knowledgeable local solar installers will be on hand to answer general solar energy questions and address your specific circumstances.


• Established solar manufacturers will showcase the latest in solar photovoltaic equipment and technology.


• City of Sebastopol and CCEnergy representatives will provide information about participating in the Solar Sebastopol program, rebate programs offered by the California Energy Commission Renewable Buydown and California Public Utilities Commission, applicable state and federal tax credits, loan programs and other special municipally-supported financing opportunities.


• A group of homeowners and business people who have already gone solar will speak candidly about their own experiences, how they overcame their own hesitations and obstacles, and how their solar energy systems are performing now.

On a policy level, the Solar Sebastopol Fair is featuring a panel of federal, state, and local elected officials and policymakers who will address the current state of affairs and the potential role envisioned for each level of government in supporting and promoting more solar energy. Panel members include:

• Tom Roth representing Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey


• Assemblywoman Pat Wiggins


• Sebastopol City Councilman Sam Spooner


• Dave Kronberg, Director Sonoma County General Services Dept.

For those from points beyond Sebastopol, the Solar Sebastopol Fair is also bringing in some of California’s most effective instigators and architects of grassroots level solar energy activism to discuss their experiences in raising awareness, gathering support, and implementing several other locally focused solar programs. These speakers include:

• David Hochschild, executive director of votesolar.org, the organization that sponsored San Francisco's bond measure to create the largest local government solar program in the world


• Ed Smeloff, of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, who manages San Francisco's solar program and who will provide status reports on San Francisco's and other local government efforts to implement successful solar energy programs


• Paul Fenn - Author of Community Choice Bill and an activist in the San Francisco Solar Bond Measure


• Dan Pellegrini, President of CCEnergy and Solar Sebastopol program manager

And while the Solar Sebastopol program is all about making solar energy easy, accessible, and affordable, the August 17 fair is also a celebration of solar energy. A host of activities and events for children, teens, and the whole family, along with live music and entertainment, food, and wine/beer tasting, are all a part of the daylong program.

Location: Sebastopol Community Center, 390 Morris Street in Sebastopol

Date: Sunday, August 17, 2003

Fair hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission: FREE and open to the public

About Solar Sebastopol:
The Solar Sebastopol program came about through an ad hoc group of Sebastopol citizens who began meeting together to consider the feasibility of launching a solar program for Sebastopol inspired by the solar energy bond measure recently passed in San Francisco. From these meetings came the idea for Sonoma State University Energy Management Design Program students to conduct an analysis project in 2002 to assess the city's overall solar energy potential. The Sebastopol City Council endorsed the study's conclusions demonstrating Sebastopol's strong solar potential and community support for an active, community wide solar program. CCEnergy won the contract through a competitive bidding process to partner with the City of Sebastopol in implementing this program. For more information, see: www.solarsebastopol.com.

About CCEnergy:
CCEnergy aggregates buying power for residential, commercial, and municipal members who want to generate clean safe solar energy at reasonable prices. For member buyers, CCEnergy makes the purchase of renewable energy easy, affordable, and rewarding. For member contractors, CCEnergy delivers the benefits of professional marketing and project management services, allowing them to concentrate on their core expertise in design and installation services. For more information, see www.ccenergy.com/co-op/.

For more information about the Solar Sebastopol Fair & Celebration, contact:

Marty Roberts
707-829-9191
MartyR@sonic.net

For more information about CCEnergy, contact:

Pete Blair
707-829-1999
pete@ccenergy.com

Lori Houston
707-829-1999
lori@ccenergy.com

Solar Sebastopol Fair & Celebration Sponsors, vendors, and other participants: (to date, in alphabetical order)

Advanced Alternative Energy
Alternative Energy, Inc.
Cal Air Inc.
CalSEIA
CCEnergy
California Energy Commission
Dry Creek Vineyards
Evergreen Solar, Inc.
Harmony Farm Supply
Kyocera Solar
Laurel Glen Winery
Light Energy Systems
Marin Solar
Northern California Solar Energy Association
Pacific Gas & Electric
Preston at Dry Creek
Rebuild America
Sebastopol Heat & Cool
Sharp Solar
Sine Electric
Solar Works
SSU Environmental Technology Center
Sun Power & Geothermal Energy
Sun First!
Sustainable Solar Utility Vehicle (SSUV)
Synergy Electrical Energy
Taylor Maid
Ukiah Brewing Company
Whole Foods