California Solar Initiative

In 2007, Calfornia started a solar project to push the state green through 3 gigawatts of photovoltaic solar installations by 2017. Last year (2008), the solar capacity of California more than doubled. 156 mW were added (compared to 81 mW in 2007). Even with the economy, it is projected that over 150 mW of solar systems will be added this year.

California has committed $3.3 billion toward the photovoltaic installation. $2.2 billion of the budget is used by the California Solar Initiative program, which gives individuals and businesses rebates for installing photovoltaic solar systems. As of right now, 13% of the goal of photovoltaic installations has been reached.

The goal of the program in to push solar panel development and make them affordable for every family. With all of the solar panel development, the price of solar panels is decreasing. But with the rebates available through programs such as the California Solar Initiative, the cost of a solar system is reduced by 50%.

It will take a while for the price of a solar system to drop 50%. Well before the price drops 50%, the rebates will be gone, forcing homeowners to pay for a solar system on his/her own. A homeowner who takes advantage of the rebates now has an advantage over a homeowner who waits for the price of solar to drop: the homeowner is years closer to paying off his solar system and producing free electricity for his home. <read more>

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