California reaches record peak in solar power

The state of California in the US has recorded a new peak in solar power generation touching 1,003MW on 14 August 2012.

According to a latest release by the state’s power grid operator California Independent System Operator (ISO), a significant 4,535 tonnes of carbon dioxide output has been saved for one day.

California ISO president and CEO Steve Berberich, celebrating the solar-generation milestone, said that the current installed solar capacity of ISO is about 1,160MW.

The release said that between 2012 and 2018, most of the power lines in the state are likely to be upgraded by the transmission companies, to meet California’s renewable power mix for future.

The state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard requires that 33% of California’s electricity come from renewable resources by 2020.

ISO board chairman Bob Foster said the board has cleared sufficient new transmission investment to enable the utilities to reach the state goal.

Further, the transmission companies are expected to generate an additional renewable energy of about 22,350MW around the state.

Power utilities looking to upgrade to renewable sources have approached ISO seeking connection to the California grid in the future.

As per ISO data, nearly 27,700MW of solar power, 7,600 MW of wind power, and 15,000MW of conventional resources such as natural gas-fired power plants are trying to have grid connection.

California is among the leading states in the US to have huge number of homes with solar panels installed, which was achieved through the million solar roof initiative by the State in 2006.