Occidental Arts and Ecology Center (OAEC) is an 80-acre research, demonstration, advocacy and organizing center in Sonoma County, California that develops strategies for regional-scale community resilience. Their mission is to support diverse communities to design their own regenerative systems at the regional and local scale. 

OAEC currently focuses efforts on providing a retreat space for organizations with social or environmental justice missions. They also offer Permaculture Design Certification (PDC) courses, and have trained thousands of people in regenerative agricultural techniques and holistic living. Each year, they host around 40 different retreats and three PDC courses. 

OAEC’s Solar Journey 

Given the more remote location of the center, OAEC experiences multiple power outages each year that can last up to a few days. The center made the decision to get a solar and battery storage microgrid system so that they could keep the lights on during retreats and courses year around. 

The solar array mounted on the roof of a carport.

The battery storage system was lifted by a crane into position on the farm. 

OAEC is in the process of completing their installation with the help of Vital Energy Solutions, a local accredited solar installation company. When it's up and running, the 124 kW solar + 114 kW battery storage system will allow OAEC to save $3 Million over the next 25 years.