California continues to establish itself as a leader in solar energy innovation and pro-solar policymaking, nationwide. Many of these efforts have taken place at the state level. Witness the passage of California bill AB 510, which boosted the state’s cap on net-metering for solar power installations. But county and city governments have played a prominent role, too. Recently GetSolar has detailed the following: a 95-kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) system that helps Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus transit system offset its carbon emissions; eSolar’s Suntower Plant in Lancaster, Calif., which was recognized as 2009′s best renewable and sustainable project; and the California solar powerhouse that is San Diego, which boasts more rooftop solar installations than any other American city. But these stories only tell the southern half of the California solar tale.

Northern California’s solar energy projects have arguably been equally ambitious. The city of Sebastopol, in Sonoma County, has undertaken a solar initiative, aptly dubbed “Solar Sebastopol.” The aim? Install one megawatt of solar power in the city, which, in residential rooftop terms, would come out to about 500 average home installations.

Meanwhile, San Francisco’s solar power progress is on full display for all to see, thanks to the San Francisco Solar Map, a joint project between the city’s Department of the Environment and CH2m Hill, an engineering firm. The online map breaks down solar production around the city into nine categories: Municipal, Commercial, Non-profits, Residential, Schools/Libraries, Monitoring Stations, Environmental Justice Program, Case Study and Solar Hot Water. The site, designed to generate more solar usage by raising awareness about the city’s solar potential, also keeps San Franciscans in the know on how get money from the city to install commercial or residential panels. On this front, the city recently announced the creation of GreenFinanceSF, which provides a new loan option that homeowners and businesses may use to install solar panels.

Pleasanton, Calif., has followed suit in the solar trend with its Comprehensive Energy Plan. Established in 2002, the initiative aims to guide the city toward a sustainable future while avoiding adverse impacts and overly burdensome costs for the community. The main ideas of this plan include: pursuing energy-saving techniques and program education; installing renewable energy facilities; and building alliances with local businesses in order to work collaboratively on solar and other energy-efficiency initiatives.

Last November, Berkeley, California residents voted overwhelmingly in favor of measure G, which aims for an 80 percent reduction in the city’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The measure also laid the ground work for a climate action plan that includes an emissions reduction action plan to help the city achieve its goal.

Berkeley is also credited with originating in 2007 an innovative new approach to financing renewable energy installations. Dubbed “property assessed clean energy” — or PACE — financing, the approach allows residents to repay clean energy loans via a surcharge on their property taxes. PACE funding is quickly catching on, with many cities and municipalities in California and beyond offering property-assessed options to their residents. Keep reading at GetSolar to learn more about Berkeley’s Solar Loans and a California bill that may make a PACE option available, statewide.