SAN DIEGO -- Small business owners in San Diego suffering due to the economy are now feeling another one-two punch from the state.

Businesses like One Roof Energy in Sorrento Valley, a company that makes solar panels, are now turning to the city for assistance.

"Solar doesn't traditionally look very good and it's very expensive. So what we do as a company is try to address both of those," said company CEO David Field.

Right now, One Roof Energy technology is on 1,500 homes across the country.

"This is actually an example that we are developing," said Field.

Field wants to expand despite the current economic climate, but that is not his only hurdle.

"The big issues that we see right now as business owners are budget deficits and curtailment of services," said Field.

San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders was pelted with questions at a roundtable discussion with Field and about a dozen small business owners. The owners want to know what Sanders can do about Sacramento pulling funds from San Diego and other cities to fill the statewide budget hole.

It's a trickle effect that shakes Field's business down to its core.

"The permitting fees for solar installation in San Diego I think just went up two or three times," said Field.

The fees are making solar systems too expensive for many homeowners, which knocks down Field's clientele. Field said the new jobs will do little to prop his business up.

"Unless we have a need to hire more employees because our business is increasing and we have a staffing requirement, we're not going to hire employees simply because we get an additional fairly modest tax credit from the federal government," said Field.

What Field and other business owners need is a stronger economy and help from Sacramento, but getting everyone in the city on the same page is a start.

Sanders said he is going to take what he learned at the roundtable discussion back to City Hall and find new ways to streamline the process of business development and ultimately make San Diego a more small business friendly place.

Sanders also plans to lobby for San Diego small businesses on the county and state level.