Recently, the California legislators approved a plan which requires California to generate half of all its power to from renewable energy sources by 2030. It is now in the hands of California’s Gov. Jerry Brown who is expected to sign it later this month.

The California State Assembly passed SB 350, a mandate that pushes the state’s renewable portfolio standard (RPS) to 50% by December 31, 2030, from the current 33% by 2020.

Importantly, SB 350 contains a strong directive for California to continue promoting regional cooperation with neighboring states and utilities – providing California customers with access to broader regional energy markets that will help lower prices.

The solar panel industry in the United States of America certainly seems to be progressing in an extremely positive way according to research by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and GTM Research based upon information contained in the US Solar Market Insight Report.

In January, Governor Brown issued an executive order calling for the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. “Now, we must focus our efforts on the bill’s implementation and the essential need for a fair outcome in the upcoming net metering decision at the Public Utilities Commission, which will determine the future of the rooftop solar market”.

Today, there are more than 2,200 solar companies at work throughout the value chain in California employing almost 55,000 people, representing manufacturers, contractors, project developers, distributors and installers.