January 22, 2010

CPUC Decision Marks Open Season on SoCal Rooftop Solar Opportunity

On January 22, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) granted final approval to Southern California Edison (SCE) for an ambitious new rooftop solar program.  The program will help SCE meet the state’s renewable goals with distributed solar energy systems, primarily located on large rooftops throughout SCE’s service territory. In total, the five-year program will add…

On January 22, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) granted final approval to Southern California Edison (SCE) for an ambitious new rooftop solar program.  The program will help SCE meet the state’s renewable goals with distributed solar energy systems, primarily located on large rooftops throughout SCE’s service territory. In total, the five-year program will add 250 MW of utility-owned solar and an additional 250 MW of competitively sourced solar from private developers.

Here’s what some solar advocates are saying:

Sara Birmingham, West Coast Policy Director for the Solar Alliance said, “It’s exciting to see a utility affirm the value of rooftop solar generation in this way. It’s even more exciting to see SCE’s leadership in adopting a model for growth that includes open, competitive participation from the state’s solar industry – a prospect that will help drive further green job creation and deliver lower costs to ratepayers.”

Kevin Fox of the law firm Keyes & Fox said: “This program is the culmination of many months of work from the CPUC and an incredibly diverse array of stakeholders who were committed to driving an exciting new area of solar opportunity – smaller systems that feed our shared energy grid. Yesterday’s decision was the starting gun for serious growth in this sector. I expect to see a new wave of solar development begin in earnest as a result.”

Adam Browning, Executive Director of Vote Solar added: “This program opens an exciting new market opportunity for quick and cost-effective growth in the solar sector, creating new jobs and eliminating carbon emissions. We believe this is just the tip of the iceberg—we are working to expand similar programs, targeted to solar wholesale distributed generation, throughout California and in other states as well.

Source:  Vote Solar and Solar Alliance Press Release
January 22, 2010
Solar Advocates Applaud Southern California Edison Solar Plan Approval; CPUC Decision Marks Open Season on SoCal Rooftop Solar Opportunity