California Bucking the Solar Trend

Last week we posted about the effect the recession is having on the solar industry. Perhaps we spoke too soon, because now we have to amend that observation to note that the solar industry in California is still doing just fine-- by 2008 numbers anyway.

The Los Angeles Times reports today that Californians installed 158 megawatts of solar capacity in 2008-- double the amount in 2007.

The Times notes that:

"Residential demand appears to be hanging tough in the face of the shaky economy. December saw the largest volume of homeowner rebate requests since the state launched the California Solar Initiative program two years ago."

It is widely accepted that state rebates are the primary driver for this amped up solar acitvity, but one has to wonder what the future holds for economic incentives coming out of Sacramento these days?

Solar panel installations in California through the roof in '08 [Los Angeles Times]