Dive Brief:

• Solar production in California reached a peak record of 3,048 MW on January 2, up from 1,235 MW a year ago, according to the California Independent System Operator (ISO). In addition, California has about 2,000 MW of rooftop solar.
• The rapid increase in solar production is driven by the construction of several large utility-scale projects, including the 250-MW California Valley Solar Ranch project owned by NRG Energy and NRG Yield.
• Two other utility-scale solar plants totaling about 1,130 MW are under construction in California and other projects and projects totaling about 3,400 MW have been approved but are in the pre-construction phase, according to the California Energy Commission.

Dive Insight:

California keeps adding renewables as utilities take steps to meet the state's 33% renewables requirement by 2020. Over time, the ISO and grid operators are getting more experience in integrating the renewable generation onto the system, which should help lower integration costs and allow for even more renewables to be added.