Sebastopol's solar flair - 2,000 attend city's first fair

source: Bob Norberg The Press Democrat 2003.8.18

Children played with solar-powered tops and trains while alternative energy proponents touted the power of the sun at the first Solar Sebastopol Fair and Celebration.

"Education about solar energy is the biggest thing we can do at a local level, and the fair is the first step," said City Councilman Sam Spooner.

The daylong festival, which drew about 2,000 people, was organized for the city by Cooperative Community Energy of San Rafael, a 2-year-old nonprofit group that helps its members get photovoltaic solar systems purchased, permitted and installed.

"The decision on whether to have solar installed is complicated. There is a lot involved," said co-op spokeswoman Lori Houston. "Cooperative Community Energy does site visits and analyses to determine energy usage, helps with permits and helps with the energy rebate program."

A typical home, for instance, would need a 2.4-kilowatt-per-hour system to meet its power needs, which would cost about $19,000 and be eligible for a $9,500 rebate.

The city of Sebastopol's goal under Solar Sebastopol is to encourage businesses and homeowners within the next two years to install enough solar to generate 1 megawatt of power, enough to power 500 homes.

The fair was the kickoff of the campaign, Spooner said. And it included the usual festival booths for food, beer and wine, and children's activities, including face-painting.

But solar was the draw, and there were a number of manufacturers using photovoltaic panels to turn sunlight into electricity, running such appliances as electric fans and ice cream makers.

"It's great in that it brings the community here. It's not just a trade show," said Geoff Sharples of SeventhGen Finance, an Oakland company that provides solar energy system financing. "It is not just about selling the systems. It is a fun thing and fits with renewable energy and with the people making their choices."

For the most part, the fair drew a conservation-minded crowd already convinced of solar's potential. "I'm an advocate of solar energy, but not for me, my bill is too low," said Monique Rubin of Sebastopol. "I'm interested in the community aspect. I think it is the way society has to go."

Mike Clifford was considering solar for his yard irrigation system. "I'm interested in putting up a nonwired solar irrigation system for my yard," Clifford said.

Chance Massaro of Santa Rosa was intrigued by the Sustainable Solar Utility Vehicle, a two-seater electric golf cart laden with photovoltaic panels with an $8,000 price tag and an advertise cruising speed of 25 mph. "I'd switch to that in a heartbeat," said Massaro, who now has a 10-year-old Saturn with 300,000 miles on it. "I could see myself driving one of these things."

But mostly, the fair was a chance for solar shoppers to do some tire-kicking, said Erin McMahon of San Francisco, another Cooperative Community Energy worker. "This fair is to get visibility for the technology," McMahon said. "It gives people a hands-on way to see the technology and ask questions."