SOLAR 2008 Tours
Tours highlight local attractions and renewable energy installations. Tours require separate registration. You do not have to register for the conference to sign up for a tour.
T01 - PV and Wind on the Reservation
Saturday, May 3
8:30am to 5:00pm
Price if registration received by March 31: $60.00 Price after March 31: $70.00
Tour Guide: Scott Debenham, Consulting Engineer and Alan Ridley, Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District
Learn from the Indians how important wind power is in their close-to-nature philosophy, about the excellent wind resource that exists on several Indian reservations in San Diego County and why wind power must play a critical role in San Diego’s future. First stop will be the Kumeyaay Reservation, to view their new 50 MW wind farm and see the 1.5 MW wind turbines in action.
Your next stop will be a leisurely lunch break (lunch on your own) at the Indian Golden Acorn Casino, followed by a visit to the nearby Alpine School to see a 270 kW PV system consisting of 3 types of PV: Roof-mounted crystalline modules, 2-axis trackers, and thin-film PV. Learn the important lessons learned there.
T02 - Kyocera's "Solar Grove" and San Diego Attractions
Saturday, May 3
8:30am to 5:00pm
Price if registration received by March 31: $75.00 Price after March 31: $85.00
Tour Guide: Marilyn Driscoll, San Diego County
See three large photovoltaic sites of over 96 kW each. Begin with Kyocera’s uniquely attractive “Solar Grove” PV parking lot shade structure, consisting of 25kW one-pedestal architecturally designed shade structures. Next proceed to the 100 kW PV system at the Rueben H. Fleet Museum at the beautiful Balboa Park. Have lunch on your own at the park and see the museums and galleries. Then see the beautiful Children’s Museum nearby with a 96 kW PV array. All-in-all, a very enjoyable day!
T05 - Scripps Aquarium and Black Mountain Ranch
Sunday, May 4
9:00am to 3:00pm
Price if registration received by March 31: $75.00 Price after March 31: $75.00
Price Includes Lunch
Tour Guide: Guido Hamacher, Energy Smart Loans, with assistance from docents and green building experts
See the world famous Scripps Aquarium by the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy a docent-guided tour through the aquarium and the “Feeling the Heat: The Climate Change” exhibit. See what Scripps Institute of Oceanography scientists are learning about global warming. Enjoy the fascinating Birch Aquarium and have lunch on the beautiful site. Then ride a short distance to the Black Mountain housing development which features a Platinum LEED ranch house and green residences. See first-hand the many green building options that look attractive and make good economic sense. The Ranch House may be the most environmentally conscious building in San Diego County.
T06 - Solara Development and Stone Brewing Company
Sunday, May 4
9:00am to 4:00pm
Price if registration received by March 31: $60.00 Price after March 31: $60.00
Tour Guide: Don Christiansen, San Diego Renewable Energy Society
Visit this new homes development which has been a feature on San Diego news and see that low income housing can be beautiful and environmentally friendly. These homes have solar systems and many green building features that are artfully integrated into the community.
Proceed to the Stone Brewing Co. / Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens in north San Diego County, which features a small fleet of biodiesel-powered delivery trucks as well as a 50% completed construction rooftop PV system, which will provide approximately 40% the company’s electrical power needs. Energy Consultants from Borrego Solar (installers of the system) will be available on site to discuss the Stone Brewing Co.’s solar electric power system and answer any solar photovoltaic questions you may have. A plug-in conversion hybrid from a local manufacturer will be on display as well. You can participate in a tour and complimentary beer tasting, and have a delicious buffet lunch (not included) at the popular brewery. One reviewer of the new restaurant said, “Good beer and good karma!”
T07 - Ridgehaven Building & IBEW PV Training Center
Thursday, May 8
2:00pm to 5:00pm
Price if registration received by March 31: $40.00 Price after March 31: $50.00
Tour Guide: Maggi Veltre, San Diego Renewable Energy Society
The Ridgehaven Building is unique as one of San Diego’s first green building retrofit projects in the mid-90’s. It serves as the headquarters for the San Diego City Environmental Services Department, whose mission is to act as a model and catalyst for other city-wide green programs. It features an educational lobby display and has a 50kW photovoltaic rooftop system. It has a unique value in being able to compare its energy usage with that of an identical office building nearby. The results are impressive. Almost across the street from the Ridgehaven Building is the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) training center, which has a large (and growing) PV array on the roof. See the standards of craftsmanship of these electricians.
On-line registration will be available at the end of January, 2008.
