Solar energy reaches milestone in California

Solar energy reaches milestone in California

July 13, 2012 0 By Tami Hood

California Solar Energy

State’s support for solar energy seems to be paying off

California has long been a hotbed for alternative energy news. Solar energy, in particular, has been a favorite for the state, which receives a large amount of solar radiation each year. The state serves as home to numerous solar energy projects of varying types and success and has become one of the most attractive places for such projects to take root. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has announced that the state has reached a significant milestone in its generation of solar energy, detailing this milestone in the 2012 California Solar Initiative Annual Program Assessment.

Report shows more than 1.255 GW of solar energy generated in the state

The report shows that more than 1.255 gigawatts of solar electricity is generated from 122,000 rooftop solar panels spread throughout the state. The majority of these solar panels can be found on low and middle-income housing. The popularity of solar energy amongst this particular demographic is driven by the state’s ambitious solar energy feed-in tariffs as well as the initiatives launched by companies promoting the adoption of alternative energy.

Solar energy program may be able to meet its goals ahead of schedule

According to the CPUC, California’s successes in solar energy are unmatched throughout the entirety of the U.S. The agency notes that more than 97 megawatts of solar energy systems was installed in the first quarter of 2012. This suggests that the California Solar Initiative is poised to facilitate the installation of more than 1,000 megawatts of solar energy systems by the end of the year. The program currently has an overarching goal of installing 1,940 megawatts of solar capacity in the state by the end of 2016.

Price of residential solar energy systems continues to drop

The report indicates that the cost of residential solar energy systems has dropped by 28% since 2007. This is partly due to state government policies and the saturation being seen in the solar panel market. The state is expected to continue its support of solar energy for the foreseeable future.

 

Related article(s) and resources:

http://theenergycollective.com/energyrefuge/92686/california-hits-solar-power-milestone

Spread the love