SDG&E Launches Largest Solar Power Initiative in San Diego (70-80 MW)

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http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/harnessing-sun-sdge-launches-largest/story.aspx?guid=%7B2F5450D4-BB1A-468F-B813-3BECCCA20A60%7D&dist=hppr

SAN DIEGO, CA, Jul 11, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Joined by state officials and local community leaders, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) today announced plans for the largest solar power installation in San Diego.

SDG&E's program is aimed at increasing adoption of solar power among San Diego-area commercial customers, municipalities and institutions -- a key sector that can support more substantial generating sites. SDG&E plans the largest concentration in San Diego of advanced, solar-tracking technology, with an initial target of developing 70 to 80 megawatts of solar electricity, about two-thirds of which would be utility-owned and, the remainder, customer- or third-party owned. Combined, the installations could be enough to power more than 50,000 homes.

"This is an important step forward for San Diego and California as we continue on a path toward more energy independence," said Michael R. Peevey, president of the California Public Utilities Commission. "We hope this innovative SDG&E program sparks a dynamic public-private partnership to dramatically increase the use of solar power here in San Diego, so that our children and their grandchildren can continue to enjoy the environmental benefits of clean energy."

"Our mission is to tap more renewable power -- from solar, wind and biomass sources -- to meet the increasing energy needs of our customers and to benefit our environment," said Debra L. Reed, president and chief executive officer of SDG&E. "With this program, we are hoping to plant the seeds for what will grow into an aggressive expansion of solar energy within San Diego, starting with some of our major customers."

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