PG&E to Launch Major Solar Energy Initiative

CPUC Approval Gives Utility Green Light for up to 500 Megawatts

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Apr 22, 2010, 04:14 ET

SAN FRANCISCO, April 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) said it plans to begin implementing a major new solar photovoltaic (PV) program, which the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved today.

The program, once complete, will generate up to 500 megawatts (MW) of clean energy, enough to meet the needs of about 150,000 homes in PG&E's Northern and Central California service area.

"We applaud the CPUC's decision to approve this important renewable energy initiative and look forward to beginning its implementation," said Steve Malnight, the utility's vice president for renewable energy. "This program will provide our customers with timely access to solar power and create local benefits including green jobs for the communities we serve."

PG&E's solar PV program is part of its larger effort to provide its customers with more clean energy. The five-year initiative will consist of up to 250 MW of utility-owned PV generation and another 250 MW provided by independent developers through a streamlined regulatory process.

The moderately sized projects targeted by PG&E's initiative, ranging from 1 MW to 20 MW, should require less time to plan and build than many large projects that have faced lengthy delays. Projects to be owned by PG&E will be located near company substations to reduce the costs and delays of interconnecting them to the power grid.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE: PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric utilities in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation's cleanest energy to 15 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com/about/.

SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company