SolarEnergyCalifornia.net

Report shows sharp increase in California's solar roof arrays

July 2009 - A new report is providing some additional insight into the growth of solar in California over the years.

According to the group Environment California, the state had about 51,000 solar roof systems which generated more than 500 megawatts of energy at the beginning of 2009. The group reports that in 1999, the state only had about 500 solar roof arrays.

If this rate of growth were able to continue at its present speed, the group adds that California could meet its goal of having 1 million solar roof arrays by 2017, especially if the increasingly widespread use of solar resources can result in "grid parity" that brings the cost of such investments more in line with the cost of fossil fuel-based systems.

While it is most common for existing homes to be retrofitted with solar energy equipment, the report notes that a growing number of new homes are being built with solar capabilities, and that more businesses, farms and public buildings are also incorporating solar energy resources.

Among the state's leaders in solar rooftops, San Diego, San Francisco and Los Angeles are reportedly the top three.

“I’d put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don't have to wait ‘til oil and coal run out before we tackle that.” – Thomas Edison

2008 SolarEnergyUnitedStates.com

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