The state legislature killed the governor’s “[1] Million Solar Roofs” bill last fall, but the California Public Utility Commission will revive the initiative when it votes on January 12, 2006 to provide $3 billion in incentives to encourage the installation of solar technology over the next 11 years.

The goal of the [2] California Solar Initiative is to increase the state’s total solar energy output from 101 megawatts now to 3,000 MW by 2017. See the attachment for a summary of the initiative.

As a first step, the commission voted on December 15, 2005, to provide $300 million for the CPUC’s [3] Self-Generation Incentive Program in 2006. Even though the commission reduced the rebate level for photo voltaic systems from $3.50 to $2.80 per installed watt next year, the CPUC expects interest in the program to remain high.

The commission will take up the issue at its January 12 meeting, beginning at 10 a.m, at its San Francisco office, 505 Van Ness Avenue. The CPUC will take public comments on the initiative at the January meeting.