Solar LA

The plan aims to power 10% of Los Angeles’needs with solar power by 2020. This would amount to an installed capacity of about 1,280 MW of power, thanks to public incentives and private initiative. This would probably turn LA into the world’s capital of solar power.

However, a big chunk of the power (500 MW) would be installed in the Mojave desert, with an additional 380 MW installed on homes.

"L.A. has everything it takes to make this [solar plan] work," said Mr Villaraigosa to the press, "We have the sun in abundancy. We have the space. We have the largest municipal utility in the country" he added.

Under the plan, the largest share of solar power, 500 megawatts, would come from generating facilities built by private-sector companies in the Mojave Desert. 

An additional 380 megawatts would be achieved through smaller programs, including one that would help low-income residents add solar panels to their homes and another that would allow DWP customers to purchase shares of city-owned solar plants.

The financial details of the plan have not been unveiled yet, however this is undoubtedly a good move for one of the world’s sunniest big cities, and probably also one of the most energy-hungry.

For additional information:

www.ci.la.ca.us/council.htm