Million Solar Roofs Initiative Exceeded Expectations
The benefits of the Million Solar Roofs Initiative exceeded expectations. The initiative’s goal was to build 3 gigawatts (GW) of rooftop solar throughout the state. The program met its goal in 2015, ahead of schedule, plus the solar market has continued to grow. California consumers have installed nearly 9 gigawatts of local solar energy thanks to the successful transformation brought about by the Million Solar Roofs Initiative launched in 2006.
“This shows policy makers and the public that with regard to climate change we can swing for the fences with a big idea and get the desired results,” said Senator Kevin Murray, the author of SB 1.
Those 9 gigawatts of solar energy are equivalent to 6 large natural gas power plants! They generate more than 13 billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity each year avoiding 22 million tons of CO2, 16,000 tons of smog-forming pollutants, over 350 billion cubic feet of natural gas – which is incredible!
“Solar energy is one of the most impactful and tangible ways to solve climate change at scale and at speed,” said Dan Jacobson.
“As we strive to meet the state’s 100% clean energy goals, we need solar energy and energy storage technologies on every available rooftop and in every available garage. We are off to the races with today’s celebration of building a million solar roofs but there’s no time to lose.”
