Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) will implement a major new solar photovoltaic program with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The program, which was approved on April 22, will generate up to 500MW once complete.
“We applaud the CPUC’s decision to approve this important renewable energy initiative and look forward to beginning its implementation,” said Steve Malnight, the utility’s vice president for renewable energy. “This program will provide our customers with timely access to solar power and create local benefits including green jobs for the communities we serve.”
PG&E’s solar PV program is part of the company’s five-year initiative to generate up to 250MW of utility-owned PV and a further 250MW provided by independent developers through a streamlined regulatory process.
The projects targeted by PG&E’s initiative will range from 1-20MW and will be located near company substations in the company’s northern and central California service areas to reduce the costs and delays of interconnecting them to the power grid.