GRID Alternatives Central Coast first annual SOLARTHON was a huge success. This solar block party and fundraiser was held on Saturday, October 22nd from  8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Templeton, California. During the event, GRID Alternatives' Central Coast staff led individual, team and corporate work crews to install solar energy systems alongside several low-income families in one neighborhood, all in one day. A total of 8 solar electric systems were completed during this event in conjunction with the Single-family Affordable Solar Homes (SASH) Program, under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.

Thank you to all of our sponsors and partners who helped our fundraising efforts and made the success of this event possible. Event Sponsors included Yingli Solar, our premiere event sponsor and official solar module provider of GRID Alternatives. We also want to thank PG & E, Sunpower, REC Solar, Rabobank, Holland & Knapp, Wallace Group, First Solar and the participants of the All-Women's Build. In addition to these sponsors we also want to thank Frank Mecham, District 1 Board of Supervisors and Ermina Karim, CEO of San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce for speaking and leading the opening ceremony to get the event started.

Thank you also to our event partners including People's Self-Help Housing, The City and County of San Luis Obispo, Center for Employment Training (CET), and One Stop Career Center.

In addition to our sponsors and partners we want to thank the following in-kind sponsors including Cal Poly Arts, Tolosa Winery, Pomar Junction, 15 Degrees C Wine Shop and Bar, Pink Tool Belts, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Maurice Zimmeran, Sunshine Health Food and Shine Cafe, Yogurt Creations, Albertsons, Panera and Starbucks.

To check out photos from Solarthon, please click here. To hear more details about this year's Central Coast Solarthon or to find out how to sponsor Solarthon 2012 in the Central Coast, contact Steve Fernandez at (805) 351-3344 X 1001 or sfernandez@gridalternatives.org for more information.