Governor acknowledges progress, urges more
residents to make use of alternative energy.

[view:node_ad=5]Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger is touting information from a California Public Utilities Commission
report that says Californians installed twice as many megawatts of solar power
this year, as compared to last year.

 "Our vision
of solar panels lining the rooftops of houses and businesses across California is becoming a reality," he said. "Today's report showing
that solar installations doubled last year proves that. I'm encouraged to see
that even in these difficult financial times we are breaking solar installation
records and spurring private investment in solar projects. This program is helping to make
solar power possible for hundreds of thousands of Californians-saving people
money on their electricity bills while helping us meet our long-term renewable energy and climate change goals."

 

According to the California Solar Initiative,
it has spurred more than $5 billion worth of private investment in solar
projects by California consumers. On average, for every $1 in incentive committed
by the California Solar Initiative, an additional $6 in private funds is
invested in solar technology in California. To date, the California Solar Initiative has paid or
reserved nearly $775 million in incentives for total estimated project costs
totaling over $5 billion.

 

The California Solar Initiative was first conceived in 2004 when Governor Schwarzenegger
expanded state support for solar and announced
the Million Solar Roofs Program. In 2006, the CPUC and the California Energy Commission
collaboratively developed a framework for the program, and the California Solar
Initiative was officially launched on January 1, 2007.