Blog
A space for learning.
Finding Solar Joy – and Savings – During the Pandemic
Learn more about how easy it is to add affordable solar and solar batteries to your home through CEC's Solarize Santa Barbara program.
CEC Holds Timely Home Energy Storage Workshops
In the Fall and Winter of 2019, the Community Environmental Council (CEC) partnered with city and county energy staff, local solar and energy companies, and community leaders to host three energy storage workshops in Santa Barbara, Montecito, and Ventura in response to a growing interest in solar-paired battery systems.
Solar Fuels a Retirement Plan
When retirement knocked on the door of Arroyo Grande residents Angela and Mark Goble, solar answered.
A Solar Dream Come True
When a Solarponics representative flipped on the solar array at Ed and Irene Rush’s Atascadero home, it fulfilled a dream 35 years in the making.
Modern Day Money Trees
Ten years ago, Stephen had realized that he could either continue to pay his power company for increasingly expensive electricity, or he could invest in solar. Once he recouped his initial outlay on the investment, he reasoned, he could bask in free electricity for the duration of the panels’ life — between 30 and 40 years.
An Environmental and Economical Benefit
Despite their appreciation for the environmental benefits of solar power, Donna and Patrick Will thought converting to solar energy would never make financial sense for them. However, after hearing about the Solarize Santa Ynez Valley program, the Wills decided to take another look at solar.
Free Solar Advice and Peace of Mind
Who doesn’t dread that monthly moment of opening a mailbox or an inbox and finding a stack of bills waiting to be paid? Electricity bills, cable bills, phone bills, medical bills—like hungry young birds in a nest, they sit there silently peeping until their demands are met.
Ty Lewis, a city employee of Paso Robles, set out to eliminate or significantly reduce one of the more common ones in his pile: his electricity bill.
6,000 Years of Solar: From Solar Heated Boxes to Hot Air and Water
“6,000 Years of Solar” is a series about the history of solar energy technology drawn from John Perlin’s new book Let It Shine: The 6,000-Year Story of Solar Energy. The series profiles the fascinating people, from ancient Greece and China to late 19th century New York to today, who have made the present day solar revolution possible.
Entering the Driving on Sunshine Galaxy
When Tal first learned about ‘driving on sunshine,’ or powering an electric vehicle with solar energy produced by panels on your home, it seemed like a science fiction fantasy come to life.
The Last Piece of the Renewable Energy Puzzle for One Arroyo Grande Family
Kevin could never get solar panels to pencil out economically...until CEC's Solarize San Luis Obispo program came along.
A Conservative Embraces Driving on Sunshine
Aaron is not your typical “go green” kind of guy. He thinks that the country’s solar industry has been too heavily subsidized. And don’t get him started on climate change. None of that, however, stopped Aaron from installing solar panels on his home or purchasing a plug-in hybrid vehicle. Come again?
Jordan Finds Pride (and Savings) in Driving on Sunshine
Jordan had not been thinking about buying a new car, electric or otherwise. Then a Facebook post piqued her interest.
6,000 Years of Solar: Solar Design in Ancient Greece
“6,000 Years of Solar” is a series about the history of solar energy technology drawn from John Perlin’s new book Let It Shine: The 6,000-Year Story of Solar Energy. The series profiles the fascinating people, from ancient Greece and China to late 19th century New York to today, who have made the present day solar revolution possible.