In 2006, California’s Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the Million Solar Roofs Initiative (SB 1-Murray), setting a goal of building a million solar energy systems on homes, schools, farms and businesses throughout the state. Fast forward in December of 2019, California celebrates hitting the 1 million solar roof milestone, helping to offset greenhouse gas emissions, providing electrical grid reliability, and helping consumers save on electricity in the years ahead.
Here are a few amazing facts:
- 970,000 of the first million solar systems have been installed on homes and approximately 30,000 are for commercial customers, farms, and government buildings.
- 1 million solar roofs help avoid 5 million metric tons of CO2 per year, the equivalent of taking a million cars off the road
- 6.6% of Californians have their own solar system. This is now growing by nearly 1% per year.
- Every day, over 350 consumers go solar in California with an increasing number including solar-charged batteries.
- Solar systems are paid off within ten years, and much faster for consumers with significant air conditioning needs or an electric vehicle.
- Cost to install solar panels have plunged by 67% since 2006
Congratulations, Californians!
