Co-Sponsors: California Center for Sustainable Energy

Classroom Location:
California Center for Sustainable Energy
8690 Balboa Avenue, Suite 100
San Diego, CA 92123

For a map of the area, click here.

The California Center for Sustainable Energy is a 501(c)3 nonprofit with a mission to foster public policies and provide programs, services, information and forums that facilitate the adoption of clean, reliable, renewable, sustainable, and efficient energy technologies and practices.  They are the region's independent voice on energy issues and a trusted resource for businesses, consumers, public agencies and local governments. Their website is a must for solar installer businesses in California. The Center has lots of well-done, educational displays on energy efficiency, lighting, and energy generation in the lobby. Kyocera Solar is located within walking distance of the classroom and has a 235kW PV system which serves as a parking lot carport structure. In addition, they have a great data monitoring display in the lobby and examples of raw silicon crystals.
 
The California Center for Sustainable Energy is located in an industrial park. There is a large parking lot in front so parking will not be a problem.
 
San Diego is not only a great place to visit, but it is the location for this year’s two main solar conferences: Solar 2008 in May and Solar Power 2008 in October. For those students who are taking the October workshop, plan on staying for the Solar Power 2008 as it follows SEI’s Grid-Tied PV Workshop. For more great information about San Diego, please visit the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau’s informative website.
 
If you are looking for events that are not solar-related in February, then you may be interested in taking advantage of ocean activities. San Diego's coastline happens to be one of the passing points of gray whales, one of the largest mammals on earth, during their annual migratory trek to and from the frigid Arctic waters to the warm water lagoons of Baja California, where the females give birth to their calves. February is a great month to go whale watching in San Diego. You’ll find information about the whale watching tours on the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau’s website.

Class Details: Class will run from approximately 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.  Please plan to arrive at the classroom no later than 8:15 on Monday so that the instructors can check you into the class. Lunch will be from approximately 12:00-1:00 pm each day, in addition to a short morning and afternoon break. The California Center for Sustainable Energy requests that all students be out of the building by 5:00pm, so that they may lock up the building at the end of each day.

The Grid-Tied PV (4 day) workshop in February will have four days of classroom lecture with a tour of a local system. There is no significant hands-on component to this class.
 
The Grid-Tied PV (5 day) workshop in October will have four days of classroom lecture and one day of tours and hands-on, mock-installation labs.

Transportation and Travel:

Closest Airports: San Diego International Airport (SAN)—12 miles from the classroom.
 
Rental Cars:  Click the following links for a list of San Diego rental car agencies and directions from the airport.

Bus Stations: There is a Greyhound Station at 120 W Broadway in San Diego, which is approximately 8 miles from the classroom.
 
Train Stations: There is also an Amtrak Station at 1050 Kettner Blvd, which is approximately 8 miles from the classroom.

Nearby Lodging:There are plenty of hotels close to the classroom site. Click here for a complete list of hotels in San Diego. Please call them directly for more information on the cost and condition of the hotels. Make sure to mention that you will be there for several days in order to get extended stay discounts.

Food: Click here for a list of nearby restaurants and eateries.

Weather: The weather in San Diego in February should be in the 60s during the day and then drop into the 50s at night. In October, the weather during the day averages in the 70s and then drops to 60s at night. For a more detailed look at the weather, go to weather.com.

What to Bring:

Please bring the following to the Grid-Tied PV Workshop:
• Pen and pencil
• Paper for notetaking
• A calculator
• Black, red and green colored pencils for schematics.