ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the evolution of the solar industry in California through the late 1970s. It focuses on developments within California generally excluding policy and industry developments in other states and at the national or federal level. The chapter examines climatic conditions and instead focuses on the evolution and current status of California’s solar policy and solar industry. California is one of the largest economies in the world, with energy consumption almost equivalent to the one of Canada. The state’s public and private interest in solar energy is an out-growth of concern over trends in California’s energy supply and demand situation characterized by: rising energy consumption levels; a dependence on imported fossil fuels; and a highly concentrated energy supply industry. The solar industry and public regulators are divided on the issue of whether the utilities should play a major role in solar development.
