We were hosting the 2012 San Diego Junior Solar Sprint Solar Car Race for 6th, 7th and 8th grades. The Junior Solar Sprint (JSS) is a national hands-on educational program that encourages students to develop theoretical and applied engineering skills and learn about solar energy. Students have the opportunity to design, build, and race their own solar powered model cars. The race took place on June 9th. There were 34 cars and the 1st place team came all the way down from Freemont CA! There were some new designs this year including a worm drive train and a 2 axis solar panel mount. A great event!

The 2011 Solar Tour took place on October 1 , 2011. We had several sponsors and many participants, who came to see unique grid-tied solar applications in the residential, small commercial and commercial space.

The 2011 San Diego Junior Solar Sprint Solar Car Race was a success, with similar number of participants as the year before.

(Fall, 2010) Thank you to Renewable Energy Supporters who helped to defeat Prop 23.
SDRES would also like to thank homeowners and installers for participating in the Solar Tour 2010.

The 2010 San Diego Junior Solar Sprint Solar Car Race was a success. Students had the opportunity to design, build, and race their own solar powered model cars. To find out what they did please see the slide show.

(Dec9/2009) Now, homeowners in unincorporated areas of San Diego County will be able to participate in a pilot program that offers long-term financing for rooftop solar energy systems. This is a significant step forward in fostering acceptance of renewable energy in San Diego County since it will spark investment in home solar-energy systems by attaching the cost to annual property tax bills. This effectively removes the first cost barrier and also removes the issue of "what happens if I move in less than 20 years". The payback on the solar system goes with house and the next owner will get both renewable energy and continue to pay the up-front loan back. Read more

We are hosting the 2010 San Diego Junior Solar Sprint Solar Car Race for 6th, 7th and 8th grades. The Junior Solar Sprint (JSS) is a national hands-on educational program that encourages students to develop theoretical and applied engineering skills and learn about solar energy. Students have the opportunity to design, build, and race their own solar powered model cars. The top cars from participating San Diego schools compete in a competition sponsored by the San Diego Renewable Energy Society and hosted by the California Center for Sustainable Energy during the 2010 Street Smart event.

For more info and if you want to help please contact Bruce.

California's solar-power feed-in tariff, becomes law
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, on October 11, 2009, signed two solar bills AB 920 and SB 32. AB 920 requires utility companies to write a check to their customers for surplus solar electricity generated on an annual basis. The bill requires the CPUC to set a rate. SB 32 establishes a new feed-in-tariff program for the state. A feed-in-tariff policy requires utility companies to purchase solar electricity at a set rate over a twenty-year period. Read more at CPUC.

On April 25, 2009 San Diego Renewable Energy Society, in collaboration with Solar Living Institute, organized The Green Career Conference This event was to assist students and professionals in career transition to better understand the expanding opportunities of the green economy. Attendees were provided with a wealth of resources to advance their efforts towards securing fulfilling jobs in the green sector. See the slide show. List of presentations

Wind-testing-tower permit process eased On February 25, 2009 San Diego County supervisors passed an ordinance that allows for installing wind-testing towers after obtaining an administrative permit, a less onerous process than the current requirement for a major use permit. SDRES testified in support of administrative permit. More info

A book written by Rich Caputo - past chair and current director of SDRES has been recenly published. Its title is: "Hitting the Wall: A Vision of a Secure Energy Future (Synthesis Lectures on Energy and the Environment: Technology, Science, and Society)". To buy your copy and review the book go here.

SDRES is encouraging the concept of Renewable Energy Parks. Read more here

SDRES won an award on Friday (9/18/2008). It was the Dealmaker of the Year Award by the Fermanian School of Business at Point Loma Nazarene University. There were 3 categories and the one we were chosen for was Firm/Organization Dealmaker. Their focus was on "value added" and creating significant long term value for the San Diego region.