Despite superior solar energy potential, only 0.2% of California’s electricity comes from the sun. Nearly 90% of California’s energy comes from polluting and dangerous sources such as fossil fuel and nuclear power plants. While technologies designed to harness the sun’s energy are extremely popular with the public and are becoming increasingly affordable, most people believe that powering their own homes with solar power is a far off reality, a perception that keeps solar a boutique technology embraced largely by wealthy environmentalists.

Meanwhile, more than a hundred thousand homes are being built in California each year, adding to the state’s growing energy needs that, if met with fossil fuels, will exacerbate our impact on the local, national and global environment.

There is a clear need to educate and build consensus among Californians about the viability of shifting toward solar power today as a key solution to myriad problems caused by our dependence on fossil fuels and nuclear power. There is a need to educate the public about the opportunities for wide-spread solar investments, such as including solar as a standard feature in new home to create a low-cost, self-sustaining solar market.

Since 2003, Environment California Research & Policy Center has been a statewide leader in building awareness among Californians about the promises of solar power and creating a climate of support for policies and programs that aggressively promote solar power in California.