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Local solar industry booming

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - With temperatures rising, so are power bills.

But, more homeowners are choosing to go green, and local solar companies say business is booming.

When the sun shines, it creates electricity through solar panels, and during summer solar companies say business is great.

"So many people are doing it and experiencing the savings, it's just word of mouth," said Glenn Bland, owner of Bland Solar and Air.

He says within a year, sales have surged.

"I personally get two calls a day from friends and acquaintances, referrals from other jobs that say hey, we heard solar is a great investment, we want to do it," said Bland.

Vivint Solar is also seeing an increase in business and is one of a few local companies to offer a power purchase agreement.

"With a PPA, you have no obligation to purchase the panels, maintain the panels. You pay for the power that's produced at a lower rate than your utility company," said Jacob Gregory with Vivint Solar.

Energy experts say the solar industry is quickly evolving. According to the Public Utilities Commission, the California Solar Initiative has reached two-thirds of its target

The PUC says its goal is to install 1,940 megawatts of solar capacity by the end of 2016.

Local resident Kari Mitchell had 44 solar panels installed in January. Before going solar, Mitchell says her power bill was more than $500 a month during the summer.

"I don't worry about it. If I walk in here and it's hot outside and we're really hot, I'm not thinking don't turn that down because the PG&E bill is going to be high. It's like, turn it down, let's get cool in here," said Mitchell.

Through net metering, solar energy users put excess energy back into the state's electric grid. That helps drive down the cost of electricity, while increasing the state's supply.

"It was a big dollar investment, but I can see that it's going to pay back very quickly," Mitchell continued.


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