When
it comes to the use of solar panels, California is at the top. California
has long been known as a source of sunshine, and now they are beginning
to really harness that sunshine for more than just tanning beach-goers.
The California Solar Initiative, as part of Governor Schwarzenegger’s
3.3 Billion dollar Million Solar Roofs program, has set an ambitious
goal for harnessing the sun’s energy by using solar panels:
California plans to create at least 3,000 megawatts of new solar-power
by 2017.
To reach this goal, incentives are being dealt out to both residences
and businesses. The California Solar Initiative gives incentives that
start at $2.50 per watt for all systems up to one megawatt in size.
It also calls for more funds for installing solar power systems in
low-income housing.
Whether or not California will meet this goal is still unsure, but
it seems that by continuing to add solar panels, California will at
least decrease its negative impact on the environment and set a positive
model for other states to follow. As is, there is not reason not to
believe that California will not just meet, but exceed its goal of
3,000 megawatts of new, solar-produced energy within a 10 year time
frame.