Launchpad of the West Coast floating offshore wind industry. Pioneer in utility-scale solar. The Central Coast is emerging as a hub of clean and renewable energy critical to meeting the state and nation’s ambitious carbon-free energy goals.
Three global companies have begun developing the nation’s first floating wind farms in a 376-square-mile area off the Central Coast, already home to one of the world’s largest single solar farms and the proposed site of the world’s largest battery storage plant. And a vision for a cleantech innovation park as Diablo Canyon’s next chapter is moving forward.
This clean energy focus reflects the environmentally conscious ethos on the Central Coast —a long-time energy-exporting region that’s also the birthplace of Earth Day and home to nation-leading carbon neutrality targets.
Recent Highlights
Paso Robles' Pearce Renewables acquires leading solar engineer
Pearce, the renewable energy industry’s largest independent services provider, acquired Natron Resources, a leading provider of design and engineering services for solar photovoltaic and energy storage systems.
Patagonia installs solar windows developed by Santa Barbara company
A small team of UCSB grads developed a transparent photovoltaic coating that turns commercial windows into energy-producing surfaces, opening the door to a whole new world of solar power.
ASSETS + RESOURCES
Offshore wind
Three international companies have set to work planning the nation’s first floating offshore wind farms after the 2022 federal auction of the 376-acre Morro Bay Wind Energy Area.
Diablo's next chapter
The plant’s industrial area offers unrivaled energy assets for pioneering the next chapter of our state and nation’s energy independence and resilience.
Refinery redevelopment
Another reuse opportunity lies in the 1,640 acres surrounding a former Phillips 66 refinery, offering heavy industrial zoning, heavy electrical power and rail spurs.
Cleantech incubator
The successful HotHouse incubator is establishing a clean tech offshoot in Morro Bay, offering a range of services to support and scale startups in renewable energy and other sustainability-focused arenas. The location will also house an SBDC outreach center.
Engineering talent
Both Cal Poly and UC-Santa Barbara have highly ranked engineering programs with concentrations in electrical and environmental engineering and advanced labs for industry collaboration. Cal Poly is home to the Electric Power Institute, and UCSB hosts the U.S. Department of Energy’s Center for Energy Efficient Materials.
Utility-scale solar
Several massive solar projects call SLO County home, including the 550-megawatt Topaz Solar Farm and the 250-megawatt California Valley Solar Ranch, together generating electricity to power 260,000 homes. REC Solar, a solar pioneer with projects across the country, started in SLO 20+ years ago.
Cleantech + Energy Companies
Click the dots to see companies in the region, and find detailed company, industry and regional data in our data center.
