LA considering a solar FIT

While most Feed-In Tariffs are either national in scope (e.g. Germany, Spain) or at least state/province-wide (e.g. Ontario, Vermont), it is encouraging to see that Los Angeles may consider its own solar FIT. A recent study by the Los Angeles Business Council and the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation has looked at the possibility in detail, and recommends LA should create the largest FIT program in the U.S., adopting a policy that would generate 500 MW of electricity within 10 years. This program would meet 3% of the city's energy needs, create more than 11,000 local green jobs and produce long-term cost savings for businesses, ratepayers and the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP).

 A summary of the conclusions can be found here: http://labusinesscouncil.org/online_documents/press/LABC-Statement-on-Solar-Proposal-031510.pdf
 

While Gainsville, FL established a solar FIT in 2009 the "soft cap" of 4 MW was not really high enough to get most developers and investors interested. LA's target of 500 MW over 10 years clearly would, as long as the tariffs are high enough to make projects economic.