County of Marin - News Releases - Battery and Solar Workshops

For Immediate Release
May 08, 2020

Prepare for Power Shutoffs Through Webinar

Free online training available on solar and battery systems for homeowners

San Rafael, CA – Should you go solar at your home? Should you add battery storage if you do? And how do battery systems compare to traditional backup generators?

Solar panels are shown on the roof of a Novato home.The first online class about solar and battery power for your home is set for May 30.
Get your questions answered at a free online webinar organized by the Marin County Sustainability Team and the Pacific Gas & Electric Company’s (PG&E) Pacific Energy Center.

With the COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders and requirements on social distancing, the in-person trainings have been switched to online sessions. They are:

  • Saturday, May 30, 9-10:30 a.m.
  • Tuesday, June 2, 6:30-8 p.m.
  • August, date and time to be determined

The class covers the basic information a homeowner would need before investing in solar for their home including costs, return on investment, technical specifications, owning vs. lease agreements, and more. The trainings are sponsored by the Marin Energy Watch Partnership, a collaboration of the County of Marin and PG&E.

Many Marin residents have been investigating battery storage and generators to prepare for potential public safety power shutoffs during the wildfire season. The class will cover the available options for combining battery systems with solar and how that technology compares to traditional generators.

Sign up today on the Pacific Energy Center’s website. You will need to create an account to register for the class at the top right of the page.

The Marin County Sustainability Team is a division of the Marin County Community Development Agency. The staff works to support healthy, safe and sustainable communities while preserving Marin’s environmental heritage. The team has developed programs to promote renewable energy, address climate change, encourage green building, recognize green businesses and implement energy efficiency projects in County schools, special districts and cities and towns. The policies and programs will ensure that Marin is healthy, vibrant and sustainable for many generations into the future. Learn more about sustainability programs for residents on the Sustainability Team’s webpage.

Contact:

Kellen Dammann
Sustainability Team Technician
Community Development Agency

3501 Civic Center Drive
Suite 308
San Rafael, CA 94903
(415) 473-2698
Email: Kellen Dammann
CDA Sustainability website