Business and Finance

The California Public Utilities Commission Thursday authorized a five-year solar photovoltaic program to develop up to 500 megawatts of solar photovoltaic facilities in the range of 1 to 20 megawatts in Pacific Gas and Electric Co.’s service area.

The photovoltaic program allows for development of solar facilities owned by PG&E and also owned by third parties.

Under the utility-owned portion of the photovoltaic program, PG&E is authorized to install up to 250 megawatts of photovoltaic facilities from 1 to 20 megawatts in size in its service area at a rate of 50 megawatts per year.

Similarly, under the third-party owned portion of the program, PG&E can solicit energy from 250 megawatts of photovoltaic facilities from 1 to 20 megawatts in size located in its service area, also at a rate of 50 megawatts a year.

“This solar development program has many benefits and can help the state meet its aggressive renewable power goals,” said CPUC President Michael Peevey. “Smaller scale projects can avoid many of the pitfalls that have plagued larger renewable projects in California, including permitting and transmission challenges. Because of this, programs targeting these resources can serve as a valuable complement to the existing Renewables Portfolio Standard program.”

The CPUC authorized expenditures of up to $1.45 billion for the capital costs associated with the utility-owned portion of the photovoltaic program.

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