The growth of California’s local solar-power systems, not only
on rooftops but in parking lots, farmers’ fields and vineyard
irrigation ponds, has kept the state well ahead of others in the
total power generated from photovoltaic systems. In 2011,
according to a new report by Environment California,
California’s total capacity exceeded 1,000 megawatts — up from
less than 10 megawatts in 2000. But according to the Interstate
Renewable Energy Council, the state’s lead — California was home
to two-thirds of all photovoltaic solar capacity in the country
in 2008 — is shrinking slowly as other states, particularly New
Jersey, provide incentives that are leading to a burst of new
installations (and new complaints. Data was available nationally
through 2010, when California had 869 megawatts of installed
capacity, as reflected in the chart above. A report released on
Tuesday by Environment California pinpoints the areas of
California that are are home to the most rapid growth of solar
power. Cities including Los Ang