CEC Launches Solarize Ventura County
Successful group-purchase program expands to entire County

The Community Environmental Council (CEC)’s Solarize Ventura County - a community-led, group-purchasing program for residential solar electric systems will run throughout Ventura County June 12 – September 8, 2017, bringing discounted prices on high quality solar installations to Fillmore and Santa Paula residents.

The CEC’s Solarize programs have operated in Ventura County since 2012 beginning with the first Solarize Ojai Program. Since then, 162 home owners in the City of Ventura, the Ojai Valley and along Highway 126 have taken advantage of the program’s vetted installers, discounted pricing, and educational workshops. This year’s Solarize Ventura County is the first time that the program has been offered throughout the entire County. The program has the backing of Ventura County jurisdictions: Cities of Ventura, Oxnard, and Camarillo, which are co-hosting the educational workshops. Ventura County’s Regional Energy Alliance has also partnered with the Solarize Program to increase the amount of renewable energy adoption in the County. In total, CEC’s Solarize Programs that have been offered in various jurisdictions throughout the central coast have helped 524 homeowners go solar.

“The goal of our Solarize program is to make going solar more simple and affordable for homeowners,” noted CEC’s Renewable Energy Specialist, April Price. This year's two partner solar installers, California Solar Electric and Coastal Solar, will offer sizable discounts on solar installs throughout Ventura County. Price explained, “Our installer partners were selected by a committee of local experts. They studied the companies, their practices, and their equipment to make a responsible selection on behalf of Ventura County homeowners.”

Solarize Ventura 2016 participant C.Wyles shared her experience with the Solarize process, “The program was excellent for providing the confidence that I wasn't going to get taken advantage of financially or in any other respect. I particularly liked the fact that the contractor was chosen from local businesses and vetted for me. The system is up and running and I'm perfectly happy with it, and thrilled to be using fewer resources than previously.”

Solarize Ventura 2016 participant John Buccola also voiced his satisfaction with the program and its result, "We aggressively shopped for various options for our solar installation and found the Solarize program more competitive and personalized to our needs. They educated us on our options, qualified the installer and negotiated an incredible price. One year later, we are thrilled with the system - which offsets all our electrical usage. Thank you Solarize!"
Throughout the Solarize program, CEC will host free, educational workshops throughout the county to help homeowners better understand solar technologies, energy efficiency, and financing options. “The workshops are a great opportunity to learn the ins and outs of going solar - from technical aspects, to the effects on home values, to how your electric bills will shrink,” said Price. She went on to say, “We are excited to bring the benefits of the group purchase discount to the entire county- this Solarize Program has excellent pricing on high quality equipment and installs. I think that people will be surprised at how affordable it is to purchase a solar system, and to generate your own electricity.”

Anyone interested in learning about solar is encouraged to attend one of these upcoming workshops:

Thursday, July 20th, 6:00pm
Ventura City Hall, Community Meeting Room, 501 Poli Street, Ventura, CA 93001

Thursday, July 27th, 6:00pm
Oak View Park and Resource Center, 555 Mahoney Avenue, Oak View, CA 93022

Wednesday, August 2nd
6:00pm (English)
7:00pm (Español)
City of Oxnard, Community Room, 300 West Third Street, First Floor, Oxnard CA 93030

Thursday, August 17th, 6:00pm
Newbury Park Branch Library, 2331 Borchard Road, Newbury Park, California 91320
(Co-presented with the City of Thousand Oaks)

Monday, August 21st, 6:00pm
Blanchard/Santa Paula
Community Library
119 N 8th Street
Santa Paula, CA 93060

Tuesday, August 22nd, 6:00pm
Thousand Oaks library
1401 E Janss Rd
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
(Co-presented with the City of Thousand Oaks)
CA 93030

Solarize Ventura County participants will also help support CEC’s mission in the community. For each homeowner that goes solar through the program, the solar installers will pay, at no additional cost to the homeowner, a small fee which helps CEC continue to offer Solarize programs in local communities.

To learn more or apply for Solarize Ventura County, homeowners can go to SolarizeVentura.org or call (805) 963-0583 x 101.

About the Community Environmental Council (CEC)
Since 1970, CEC has led the Santa Barbara region – and at times California and the nation – in creative solutions to some of the toughest environmental problems. CEC innovates and incubates real life solutions in areas with the most impact on climate change. Our programs provide pathways to clean vehicles, solar energy, resilient food systems, and reduction of single-use plastic. Find CEC on the web at www.cecsb.org and on Facebook/CECSB and Twitter/CECSB. Our mailing address is: Community Environmental Council, 26 W Anapamu, Second Floor, Santa Barbara, California 93101