Calif. celebrates energy independence day

SAN JOSE, Calif., June 29 (UPI) -- San Jose and Fat Spaniel Technologies Inc. have organized a day-long event called the Energy Independence Day Solar Power Celebration.

San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, City Councilman Sam Liccardo and Fat Spaniel Technologies' founder Chris Beekhuis are gearing up to celebrate Energy Independence Day Solar Power Celebration on July 2.

Organizers say the celebration will include a three megawatt-hour clean energy countdown where participants can bring their cell phones, mp3 players, computers and other electric appliances for a free solar-powered charge.

The free energy is from Beekhuis, who uses Fat Spaniel's Web-based data dashboard to track the energy generated by the solar panels on his home. Over the course of the year, the solar energy system generated more electricity than he used. So Beekhuis will be giving away that extra energy.

Fat Spaniel Technologies is a leading provider of information services for distributed, renewable energy systems

"San Jose is the right place to celebrate Energy Independence Day and plug in to solar energy," said Reed. "Thanks to community and industry leaders like Fat Spaniel Technologies, San Jose is on its way to becoming the clean energy technology capital of the nation.

"As mayor, I've called for the city to install solar power on city buildings, like the Tech Museum. Not only can we reduce operating costs, we also can showcase our local clean and green solar technologies, educate our kids and community, end our addiction to coal and oil, and help reduce global warming."

The celebration will also include an electric vehicle arrival and keynote addresses from Reed and Liccardo and other events.