Back in 2006, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger set out a plan to ‘terminate’ the use of dirty energy sources powering the state of California. His government proceeded to sign an act to subsidize and expand the installation of solar roof units throughout California. The program allocated around $3 billion in solar rebates, which helped the whole state have an early head start in solar energy. 

After more than a decade in solar roof investment and innovation, California has finally reached the 1 million solar panel landmark and surpassed its initial energy goals. Combined, the solar roofs produce around 9-gigawatts of local solar energy or the equivalent of 6 natural gas power plants. This greatly exceeds the initial set goal of 3-gigawatts of solar energy. 

What is the next step for the Golden State after achieving its solar goal? Green energy advocates do consider this a success in the state legislature, but with the threat of global warming mounting, some are hoping the state pushes harder in the direction of electricity storage. The installation of electric batteries would help institutions and homeowners store all the solar energy captured during the day for use in the evening – or use the energy in situations where utility companies decide to cut off its services. 

This would pose another challenge that would require collaboration from the state, possibly with a similar subsidy or rebate program that kick-started its solar growth years ago.