Milestones have been set along the way to reach a clean electricity grid:

2026: 50% Renewable Resources Target

2030: 60% Renewable Resources Target

2045: 100% Zero-Carbon Resources

Notice the difference between ‘Renewable Resources Target’ and ‘Zero-Carbon Resources’. The latter includes renewable resources such as solar, wind, and hydro, but also allows for nuclear power and fossil-fuels if they are used with carbon capture and storage (CCS), a technology Cleantech Rising previously discussed.

This subtle yet critical difference in phrasing will leave the door open to new clean technologies that develop in the next 25 years. As long as the end result is net-zero carbon emissions, the best technology will win in California’s energy market (California Legislative Information).

The Golden State Again

Vox’s David Roberts says, “in what is effectively a climate Dark Ages in the US, California is carrying a torch. It has systematically and deliberately bet on renewable energy, and that bet has paid off for its economy, making it home to a dizzying diversity of clean energy businesses and jobs.”

So where will the growth in renewable energy come from?

Solar power is a front-runner. According to the LA Times, solar power contributed a mere 0.5% to California’s electricity production in 2010. Contrast that with today as solar produces more than 10% of the state’s electricity. That’s a growth factor of 20x in just seven years…