A record 391 megawatts of solar power were installed statewide in 2012.
The California Solar Initiative rebate program for homeowners and businesses has reached nearly 1700 megawatts of solar capacity.
That’s enough to power about 150,000 homes.
The goal is 2000 megawatts by the end of 2016.
Edward Randolph, director of the energy division of the California Public Utilities Commission, says the program is nearing its goal. He says that's despite coming close to running out of money for rebates.
“They’re about at the end of the budgets," says Randolph. "However as the rebates go down, and the budgets get smaller and smaller, the number of installations that are occurring are going up and up.”
He says the program will likely reach its goal in two years.
The solar capacity installed doesn’t include Los Angeles or Sacramento, since the program is run only through investor-owned utilities.
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