Analysis by the Environment California Research & Policy Center shows that rooftop solar panels have surpassed 1 gigawatt (or 1,000 megawatts) or energy production – a new milestone for California, San Diego solar energy, and the United States.  This amount of energy is enough to power about 750,000 residences.

This achievement puts California well on its way to achieving its projected goal of three gigawatts of residential solar by the year 2016.  According to the research, rooftop solar power generation has increased by about 40 percent each year since 2006.  This strong growth reflects California’s commitment to renewable natural resources and finding solutions to the energy crisis.  According to the California Public Utilities Commission, 60 percent of the rooftop solar installations were financed in part by the California Solar Initiative, or CSI, which helps finance solar projects and gives customers of investor-owned utilities an alternative way to power their homes.  This new solar milestone helps encourage Californians who are interested in solar power and reminds the rest of the country how successful renewable energy programs can be.