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Programs > Energy Programs

Go Solar!

How do I go solar?
If you'd like to learn more, download CEC's updated brochure with 10 Steps to Going Solar. Frequently Asked Questions from the Solar Energy Industries Association about the new federal tax credits are available here.

A comprehensive look at solar energy opportunities in Santa Barbara County can be found in Chapter 6 of CEC's Regional Energy Blueprint.

What have other people done successfully?
People in your South Coast community are going solar, from residential homeowners to commercial businesses. Want the full story on how they did it? Read our Solar Success Stories profiling residential and commercial cases (.pdf).

CEC has completed an Implementation Plan for removing barriers to solar power in our region. Download our Implementation Plan: Next Steps for Removing Solar Barriers report.

Million Solar Roofs Initiative

As part of the federal Million Solar Roofs Initiative, CEC is facilitating the construction and installation of at least 750 solar thermal or photovoltaic installations in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors of Santa Barbara County by 2010.

Together with our partners, CEC has identified the technical, economic and political barriers to solar energy in our county and is recommending methods for overcoming these barriers. Download a PDF of our report Removing Barriers to Solar Energy use in Santa Barbara County.

One of those barriers is the lack of affordable loan packages from local financial institutions. However, in recent months CEC has worked with one project partner, the Santa Barbara County Employees Federal Credit Union to establish a loan program for credit union members.

The City of Santa Barbara has officially committed to being a partner in CEC's Million Solar Roofs program and assigned City staff to participate. Other partners include the County of Santa Barbara, UCSB, Santa Barbara Contractors Association, Allen Associates General Contractors, Renewable Energy Concepts, The Solar Energy Company, Southern California Edison, Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District, The Sustainability Project, and MarBorg Industries.

Million Solar Roof Partnership Presentations and Documents

From the public partnership meeting, March 2006
Quarterly General Partnership Update (PDF)
Phase 2 Educational Barriers (PDF)
Phase 2 Financial Barriers (PDF)
Phase 2 Institutional Barriers (PDF)

From the public partnership meeting, August, 25, 2005
3rd Quarter General Partnership Update (PDF)
Aerial Survey Update (PDF)
Educational Barriers (PDF)
Financial Barriers (PDF)
Institutional Barriers (PDF)