Meeting its reputation as one of the world’s leading clean energy states, California is initiating incentives for solar power in the form of a new subsidy. Approved on Monday, the new subsidy is set to benefit users and distributors of clean, solar energy.
California is already at the forefront of the clean energy revolution as they have the most progressive renewable energy targets in the United States. Teamed up with the federal government, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has shown that he is focused on rewarding those at the cusp of clean energy practice and technology.
October is Energy Awareness Month, and the announcement of this subsidy comes at the same time of the Solar Decathlon in Washington D.C. The event showcases new environmentally and cost efficient homes built by university students across the U.S. and Europe. Each of the homes are completely sun powered and they are judged based on their market viability and creativity.
As of last month, under the direction of Governor Schwarzenegger, the state aims to get a third of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020. This goal is highly regarded among the environmental movement, and all eyes are on California to see how they achieve this end.
With new solar power initiatives, including a measure passed Sunday requiring utility companies to pay customers for surplus solar energy, the state may yet trigger the financial incentives for consumers to “go green.” The new measure offers financial incentives for houses generating extra electricity, whereas before utilities companies could receive that additional energy for free.
The progressive state government has been noble in shouldering most of the weight of these new initiatives, however, questions have arisen as to whether or not it was the most financially measured approach. While renewable energy is indeed admirable, the “reduce” comes before “recycle” in the green saying, and reducing energy consumption is a top priority of environmental leaders everywhere.
The federal government has continued the Clean Energy Policy Act of 2005, which offers tax reductions for buildings able to reduce their lighting bills by 25 to 50%. New LED lighting fixtures consume 80% less energy than traditional fixtures, and are poised to take center stage in the clean energy revolution.
While converting lighting in residences and buildings might be a more cost-effective approach in reducing energy consumption, California’s subsidies are a step in the right direction. Reducing energy and using more renewable sources do not have to be substitutable; rather they can be complimentary in the effort to reduce our pollution.
California is making encouraging strides by financially incentivizing such a conversion to clean energy sources. Governor Schwarzenegger is aware that people have money on the mind, and it affects their choices in life. Ideally, making the right financial and environmental choice will not be alternatives.
