NEWS RELEASE
Saturday, September 12, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) today praised the passage of California’s Senate Bill 350, the leadership of the bill’s sponsor and champion, Senate President pro Tem Kevin de Leòn, and Gov. Jerry Brown, who earlier this year set out the ambitious vision of meeting 50 percent of the state’s electricity needs with renewable energy. In addition to increasing energy efficiency in buildings, the bill increases the state’s Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) to 50 percent by 2030.
“The passage of SB 350 is a huge win for Californians and solar power is going to be key in making this win a reality,” said Sean Gallagher, SEIA’s Vice President of State Affairs. “The industry, in response to the State’s current RPS, and other leading California policies like net metering, has produced nearly 55,000 solar jobs in California and more than $11 billion a year in state investment, all while achieving dramatic cost reductions. Solar is now among the most economic energy options. Through the wise passage of this ambitious legislation, we look forward to more jobs and consumer benefits.”
California is currently ranked No. 1 in the United States for installed solar capacity, with more than 11 gigawatts (GW) of solar energy installed in the state – enough to power nearly 3 million homes.
A 50 percent RPS is a significant milestone toward addressing California’s climate goals, and reaffirms the state as a clean energy leader. However, more renewable energy will be needed to meet the state’s broader goal of a 40 percent carbon emissions reduction by 2030.
In addition to utility-scale solar, rooftop solar is a key component of meeting the state’s climate goals.
“While today we’re celebrating SB 350’s success, our work is far from over,” Gallagher said. “Now, we must focus our efforts on the bill’s implementation and the essential need for a fair outcome in the upcoming net metering decision at the Public Utilities Commission, which will determine the future of the rooftop solar market. For California to reach its state climate goals, and for solar’s success to continue, we’ll need all solar markets operating at their fullest potential.”
Today, there are more than 2,200 solar companies at work throughout the value chain in California employing nearly 55,000 people, representing manufacturers, contractors, project developers, distributors and installers.
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