I can tell you a little about California’s solar history. Started in the 1890’s

 

 

I can tell you a little about California’s solar history. Started in the 1890’s

In the 1890s solar water heaters were first used in California. They proved to be a big improvement over previous methods of heating water over wood and coal-burning stoves. Although coal gas and electricity were available, it was costly and there were no gas or electric water heaters. By 1897, 30% of homes in Pasadena (in southern California) were equipped with solar water heaters (called the Climax). As mechanical improvements were made, solar systems were put to use in Arizona, Florida and other sunny parts of the U.S. By 1920, 10,000 solar water heaters had been sold in California, but by then large deposits of oil (for use in power plants to produce electricity) and natural gas (to displace artificial coal gas) were discovered in the west. When these low cost fuels became available, solar systems (at least 60,000 sold nationally) were put out of business. During the 1970s, again when oil prices were climbing and the mid-East countries put an oil embargo on oil to the US, solar again began seeing a new life. California offered a 55% tax credit for solar systems purchased by businesses and homeowners. By the 1980s new, large solar thermal power plants were beginning to be built in the state and photovoltaic power plants were started as demonstration facilities. Generating electricity by solar (either a thermal facility or photovoltaic) is still more expensive than using natural gas. California doesn’t generate electricity using much oil (less than 1%) so solar’s competition is natural gas and hydro. Today, about 11% of California’s total electricity system is from renewable energy (wind, solar, geothermal, biomass) Less the 1% is solar. Hope this helps. (2002)

 

Compiled by: Yj Draiman