State's Solar Power Hits Record

by Jack McCurdy

Solar power production in California hit a record high of 4,093 megawatts on March 8, keeping the state as the largest producer of solar power in the nation and raising questions about the need for energy from the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant, which can pose dangers to people living nearby.

Electricity generated from solar has more than doubled since June 7, 2013, and has more than quadrupled since the summer of 2012, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) reported in a news release.

Meanwhile, generation of electricity from wind also is booming with the current wind production record now at 4,302 megawatts (MW), set last June 23. Only Texas surpasses California in the production of power from wind.

“This shows that California is making remarkable progress in not only getting new resources approved and connected to the grid, but making meaningful contributions in keeping the lights on as well,” said Steve Berberich, CAISO president and chief executive officer. “The milestones illustrate that we are well into a new era when clean, renewable energy is shouldering its share of our electricity needs — and that is exciting.”

When combining CAISO wind resources of 5,890 MW and solar resources of 5,231 MW, the two now account for 11,121 MW interconnected to the CAISO grid, the press release said. In total, all renewables (including geothermal) make up about 15,000 MW of the CAISO generation mix.

At the same time, California more than doubled its rooftop solar installations last year from 1,000 to 2,000 MW. To put this number in perspective, Bernadette Del Chiaro of the California Solar Energy Industries Association said it took California over 30 years
to build the first 1,000 MW of rooftop solar. (See: California Installed More Rooftop Solar in 2013 Than Previous 30 Years Combined)

Solar Panels at at Nellis Air Force Base. These panels track the sun in one axis.