California is the Shining Light for Solar Power in the United States
Although solar power is growing throughout the United States, California continues to be the leader in the sector.
Between 2007 and 2008, solar capacity in California grew by one-third. Now, California boasts two-thirds of the entire country's solar capacity. At solar power peak periods, California can generate more than 500 megawatts of energy--the same as a major power plant. To put this in perspective, New Jersey, the state with the second largest solar capacity, can generate 70 megawatts of power.
According to experts, solar power has grown so rapidly in California as a result of two long-term statewide programs which offer rebates and other financial incentives to encourage rooftop solar panels.
As a result, solar power consumers are not only found in the big cities of Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, but now can also be found in places such as Fresno and San Jose.
As Bernadette Del Chiaro, an analyst at Environment California explains, "the biggest thing here, is that from farms to firehouses, the face of slar power is changing. While California's biggest cities have led the way, the rest of the state and country are quickly picking up."
Read the full story at the New York Times: With Push Toward Renewable Energy, California Sets Pace for Solar Power
Nathanael Baker is the Managing Editor of EnergyBoom. He has researched and reported on the issues of renewable energy, sustainability, and climate change for over two years. He has provided research to the New York Times and The Economist, as well as being published on different media outlets including, The Energy Collective.
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