Green energy—and the definition of that would depend on who you talk to—is a growing part of the Central Coast economy. Solar energy in particular has really taken off in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Monterey Counties.
According to Atascadero-basedSolarponics, San Luis Obispo County has more solar generation per-capita than any other county in the nation. And in terms of major solar fields, the Central Coast's inland region has just about any other location beat.
The Topaz Solar Farm is tied for being the largest photovoltaic solar field in the world, and several other large farms are in various stages of development.
The California Flats project in south-eastern Monterey County and the Cuyama Solar Array in eastern Santa Barbara County are among two of the newer projects.