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California tops for solar powered electric cars

Solar Energy and Cars: A Perfect Combination in California  August 30th 2012   GetSolar  It may seem odd to some to pair together driving and solar energy. After all, one is responsible for emitting greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and the other is one of the cleanest energy sources for homeowners and businesses. However, it turns out that photovoltaicelectricity is already a big part of how some cars operate on the road.

The Sun Powers California Vehicles California solar installers should be happy to know that the market for electric vehicles in the Golden State is growing, as that means new business opportunities. According to a recent report from the California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE), 39 percent of plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) owners in the state have PV power set up at home. In addition, 31 percent indicated that they were considering installing panels over the next 12 months. Considering an estimated 33 percent of respondents only charge their PEVs at home, that means a significant portion of California’s electric vehicle fleet is powered by sunlight.

The state has the nation’s largest market for PEV cars, with about 1,000 new electric vehicles hitting California roads each month, according to the report.

Even those car owners who do not have a California solar installation at their home will have their PEV partially powered by solar energy. The state’s renewable portfolio standard dictates that all California utilities need to have 20 percent of its output come from renewable energy sources like solar power by 2013 and have 33 percent of distributed electricity come from renewables by 2020, according to the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency.

“California is firmly established as a national and worldwide leader in supporting advanced technology, zero-emission automotive transportation,” Mike Ferry, the CCSE transportation program manager, said in a release………
http://www.getsolar.com/News/Solar-Energy-Facts/General/Solar-Energy-and-Cars:-A-Perfect-Combination-in-California-800852795

August 31, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | decentralised, USA