The California Solar Initiative (CSI), which provides cash back rebates for solar costumers, is part of the California Million Solar Roofs program, which is certainly the best example of how far California has gone to spread solar electricity and make it the mainstream energy source that it should be in California and the rest of America. CSI will invest $3.2 billion into systems over the course of eleven years. Supported by the policy in the Million Solar Roofs Bill, CSI has already helped thousands of Californians go solar, and hopes to get that number in to seven digits by 2016. The initiative includes money for hot water as well as solar electric, and has special rebates for low-income households and funds for research and development of solar technologies. One of the images on the Go Solar California website is of two puzzle pieces fitting together. This is a perfect image for what California is doing. They have sun, they have public interest, and so they are using legislation and state incentives to put the puzzle together and make California the most solar powered state in the nation.

A relatively new company called One Block Off the Grid (1BOG), founded in 2007, is providing an interesting opportunity to make solar even more affordable for many Californians. The San Francisco based company operates under the knowledge that paying for a residential system alone is still expensive, but paying for it in a group can make it much more of an option for homeowners. They have partnered with groSolar as their installer in the Bay Area campaign. groSolar offers 1BOG members a competitive price and in return, helps 1BOG spread solar across the Bay Area.

California is also home to the biggest American solar event, Solar Power International, hosted by SEIA (Solar Energy Industry Association) and SEPA (Solar Electric Power Association). This year’s show is happening October 12-14 in Los Angeles and will be host to over 1000 international exhibitors, from installers to distributors to manufacturers. The show and conference is accessible to professionals from all over the world and also hosts an Open to the Public night for those who are just trying to learn a little about the industry and maybe get their feet wet. Since the event is put on by not-for-profits, the proceeds are able to all go back into promoting and supporting the U.S. solar industry. groSolar CEO Jeff Wolfe is the Chair of the PV division on the Board of Directors of SEIA, so he plays a direct role in implementing the policy and strategy of the U.S. solar industry.

It’s clear to see that California is a leader in the solar industry, for large and small scale projects. The state works hard to educate its residents on the benefits and even the basics of solar to make sure that everyone is ready to move forward, to get those million solar roofs, and to continue to lead the American solar industry towards a bright, clean, sunny future!