In 2011, California became the first US state to install more than 1GW of customer-generated solar energy, according to figures published by the California Public Utilities Commission. The report, California Solar Initiative (CSI) also demonstrates that 311MW were installed in the investor-owned utility territories last year. The CSI program has received a budget of US$2.4 billion and is aiming to reach 1,940MW of solar capacity by the end of 2016.
“California’s solar success is unmatched in the nation,” said CPUC president Michael Peevey. “The CSI Program is on track to reach 1,000MW in installations by the end of the year.”
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Other highlights of the report include:
- Costs for residential solar systems have decreased by 28% since 2007.
- CSI projects in low income markets (areas with median incomes of less than US$50,000) have increased by 364% since 2007. The report states that approximately 1,500 low income homeowners, with help from the Single-Family Affordable Solar Homes (SASH) program, have installed solar panels to generate energy and improve their monthly cash flow – something that CPUC affirms has a big impact on today’s housing market. The SASH program is claimed to have surpassed its goals, installing more than 1,000 projects for low income families by the end of 2011.
- The Multi-family Affordable Solar Housing (MASH) program completed 181 projects as of April 30, 2012, with a capacity of 9.1MW.
- Virtual Net Metering has also played a par, allowing thousands of low income tenants to receive the direct benefits of solar as reductions in their monthly electric bills.
- CSI projects in middle income markets (areas with median incomes between US$50,000 and US$100,000) have increased by 445% since 2007 and comprise the majority of applications received in 2011.
With more than 122,000 sites, CPUC states that California is well on its way to reach its goal, notably as a result of 97MW having already been installed in the first quarter of 2012. Solar capacity has increased by 38%, with a 29% increase in the number of properties going solar from the previous year.
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