Judging from number released a couple of weeks ago, San Jose can rightfully claim to be “the most” solar city in California.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) on July 9 released an annual report on solar energy, detailing (among other things) the progress of the California Solar Initiative (CSI). A roadmap for installing 1,750 megawatts (MW) of solar power by the end of 2016, the CSI has made good progress since its launch in 2007. Case in point: when both completed projects and planned solar installations are taken into account, California has reached 42 percent of of the CSI goal.
“What you see is demand [for solar power] across the board,” said Molly Sterkel, solar program manager for the PUC. “We’re three years into the program and nearly halfway there.”
By one measure — the total capacity of completed projects — San Jose leads the pack. From the beginning of 2007 to July 7, 2010, the city saw 14.9 MW worth of residential solar and commercial solar power projects installed. San Diego was close behind, according to the CPUC numbers, with 11.3 megawatts. Fresno came in third with 9.2 megawatts.
A second measure tells a slightly different tale. In terms of pending solar installations, San Diego is top dog with 25.1 MW in the pipeline. Then comes San Jose, with 17.9 MW and Lancaster with 16 megawatts. One megawatt is enough to power 750 to 1,000 average California homes. San Jose Mercury News reminds us, however, that “since the sun doesn’t shine all the time, solar industry experts say that 1 megawatt of solar can power about 200 households.”
Perhaps it’s only in California where a city’s total number of installed solar megawatts translates to bragging rights. But for what it’s worth, San Jose mayor Chuck Green greeted the report’s findings with cool nonchalance, if not ambivalence:
“I’m not surprised that we’re high up the list,” Reed said Wednesday. “We’ve got some major solar installations in the city — including at eBay, Cypress Semiconductor and the San Jose Unified and East Side Union High School districts.”
Read more about CSI objectives and corresponding solar incentives on our California solar installation info page.
Los Angeles– We have better sun and need to keep installing to compete. Lets not get left behind. checkus out at http://www.CalSolarEng.com to have us help you go solar today!