California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger pledged Thursday to greatly increase the use of solar energy in California by building 1 million solar roofs.

"By expanding its use in homes and businesses across our state, we can help fight greenhouse gases while bringing more jobs to California," Schwarzenegger said in a statement e-mailed to the press.

Under the plan, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will provide financial incentives to home and business owners to install solar systems to reduce electricity demand in California, helping to ensure an adequate supply and protect the environment.

Since taking office, the governor has made it a priority to develop a self-sustaining solar industry for California, having worked for more than two years with the legislature and the California Public Utilities Commission to create a solar program for the citizens of California.

One million solar roofs will greatly increase the state's rooftop solar energy capacity, providing the output equivalent of five modern electric power plants.

The program's 3,000-megawatt goal, taken together with other aggressive solar initiatives such as requiring utilities to acquire 20 percent of the power used within the state from renewable sources, will make California once again a world leader in solar power.

Source: Xinhua