CPUC Approves 500-MW SCE Solar Plan

Solar advocates applauded the SCE program as an important piece of a comprehensive suite of policies being pursued throughout California to build a strong, self-sustaining solar energy market.

"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," said Sara Birmingham, west coast policy director for the Solar Alliance.

Most California utilities, including SCE, are required to procure 20 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources like solar by 2010, and Governor Schwarzenegger has issued an executive order to increase the RPS to 33% by 2020. To date, the utilities have primarily focused on central-station (10-500 MW) solar power plant development to meet their renewable requirements.

While large-scale solar progress continues, smaller systems that fit into the existing distribution grid offer another path for bringing solar quickly online. SCE’s program is specifically designed to spur growth in that distributed market, primarily through rooftop projects of 1-2 megawatts in size. Northern California’s largest utility, PG&E, has also submitted a similar program that is currently undergoing final review at the CPUC.

"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," said Adam Browning, executive director of Vote Solar.