California's New Governor to Increase Solar Installations

With Governor Schwarzenegger's term coming to an end in California, its newly-elected governor, Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown Jr. was sworn in this week. In his inaugural address, Governor Brown pledged to continue on Schwarzenegger's quest to increase solar installations in the state, declaring that by 2020 he wants to add 20,000 megawatts of renewable energy capacity.

According to the Solar Home & Business Journal, Governor Brown's goal to add 20,000 megawatts to the electrical grid is an aggressive target, but one that keeps in line with Schwarzenegger's projections. Currently, the state's Energy Commission has licensed planned solar power systems with a total capacity of 4,100 megawatts.

In his address, Governor Brown - who previous served as governor of the state from 1975 to 1983 - said: "As Californians we can be proud that our state leads the rest of the country in our commitment to new forms of energy and energy efficiency. I have set a goal of 20,000 megawatts of renewable energy by 2020 and I intend to meet it by the appointments I make and the actions they take."

Governor Brown affirms that he will work with business leaders around the state to ensure that his goal is met in the next nine years, asserting: "I will meet not only with the leaders of energy companies but with executives from a broad range of California business and industry to work on common problems and break down barriers that hold us back."

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