The growth of California’s local solar-power systems, not only on rooftops but in parking lots, farmers’ fields and vineyard irrigation ponds, has kept the state well ahead of others in the total power generated from photovoltaic systems.
In 2011, according to a new report by Environment California, California’s total capacity exceeded 1,000 megawatts — up from less than 10 megawatts in 2000.
But according to the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, the state’s lead — California was home to two-thirds of all photovoltaic solar capacity in the country in 2008 — is shrinking slowly as other states, particularly New Jersey, provide incentives that are leading to a burst of new installations (andnew complaints.
Data was available nationally through 2010, when California had 869 megawatts of installed capacity, as reflected in the chart above.
A report released on Tuesday by Environment California pinpoints the areas of California that are are home to the most rapid growth of solar power. Cities including Los Angeles have tripled their solar capacity since 2009, but San Diego leads the state in the number of installations on residential, commercial and government buildings (4,500) and overall capacity (37 megawatts)...
