Calif. Regulators Unveil Solar Power Plan

SAN FRANCISCO – State energy regulators on Tuesday unveiled one of the nation’s most ambitious programs to expand the market for solar power, proposing to offer more than $3 billion in consumer rebates over the next decade.

Environmentalists said the California Solar Initiative would help reduce the cost of solar energy, create jobs and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases blamed for global warming.
“With rising energy prices and continued air pollution, this is exactly the kind of landmark initiative California needs,” said Bernadette Del Chiaro, clean energy advocate for Environment California. “From this, we’re going to see cleaner air, affordable solar energy and California regaining its world leadership in solar power.”

The plan aims to install panels to produce 3,000 megawatts of solar energy on 1 million homes, businesses and public buildings over 11 years. The five-member Public Utilities Commission was expected to vote on it next month after a 30-day public comment period.

The proposal revives an essential component of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s bid to expand use of renewable energy in California. The governor’s widely publicized “Million Solar Roofs” initiative had bipartisan support, but it died in the Legislature this year after construction unions demanded high wages for solar panel installers.

AP