State legislators push solar systems

Sacramento was apparently feeling a little green during the first days of June, judging from the willingness of the Assembly and Senate to act on two solar-power bills.

The Senate passed a bill, introduced by Sens. Kevin Murray (D-Culver City) and John Campbell (R-Irvine), that would encourage the creation of 1 million solar energy systems by requiring utilities to subsidize such efforts and new home builders to offer solar roof panels as an option.

Separately, the Assembly passed a bill authored by Assemblywoman Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills) that would provide developers of affordable housing with financial incentives to increase the number of solar units installed in low-income housing in California.

The bills will now move from their house of origin to either the Senate or Assembly.