01/28/2009 GAAS:038:09 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version |
Gov. Schwarzenegger Highlights Report Showing Californians Doubled Solar Installations in 2008
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement on
the latest California Public Utilities Commission report on the California
Solar Initiative, which showed that in 2008, Californians installed twice as
many megawatts (MW) of solar power than the year before:
"Our vision of solar panels lining
the rooftops of houses and businesses across California is becoming a reality. 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 with the Governor's support and the
statutory authority expressed in SB
1 by Senator Kevin Murray (D-Los Angeles), the California Solar Initiative
was officially launched on January 1, 2007.
This most
recent report from the California Solar Initiative is available at www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy/Solar/.
