| 16/01/2006
- SAN FRANCISCO – Last Thursday, January 12, the “California
Solar Initiative” was approved by the California Public Utilities
Commission. The $2.9 billion program, backed by Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger, could make California one of the world's largest
producers of solar power. 3,000 megawatts of solar energy
will be added over 11 years through the installation of 1
million rooftop solar energy systems on homes, businesses,
farms, schools and public buildings. That amount of electricity
would be equivalent to about six new power stations.
The measure was approved on a 3-to-1 vote.
It was strongly backed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger,
who wants to make renewable energy like solar and wind power
20 percent of California's electricity resources by 2017.
With the implementation of this measure, California would
become the world's third-largest solar generator behind
Japan and Germany. Currently, the state produces about 100
megawatts of solar electricity.
The program will offer rebates for adding solar systems.
It is expected to give a big boost to manufacturers of solar
power generating cells and panels. An industry official
said the commission's decision will give investors more
certainty about the future of solar electricity.
Howard Wenger, executive vice president of privately held
PowerLight Corp., a Berkeley, California-based solar systems
developer, was delighted: "This is a phenomenal decision.
The regulatory environment has been the number one uncertainty
for the investment community. This long-term program provides
the certainty we have been sorely lacking."
Solar spending could save California utility customers
an estimated $9 billion from a reduced need to build new
power plants and purchase electricity supplies during high
demand days in the summer, according to a commission report.
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