The topic? California solar. The incident: an announcement by Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa that solar energy is now under a mandate to meet at least 10 percent of the city\'s energy needs by 2020.

It is the biggest solar initiative in the world, according to Villaraigosa, and will produce 1,280 megawatts of power. This is more solar than currently exists in the entire United States.

Called Solar LA, the plan is anticipated to cost each LA resident an additional two dollars a month. That\'s less half as much as most people spend at Starbucks in a day.

California always has been ahead of the pack in renewable energy, and this newest mandate shows the learning curve remaining at peak. The plan, divided into three blocks of power, will focus 380 megawatts on the city\'s proposed solar plant, and residents will buy shares in this SunShares program and receive a corresponding credit on their energy bill. Another 500 megawatts will come from utility-scale solar projects connected to the grid through the City\'s Department of Water and Power. The third block of 400 megawatts will come directly from solar installations on rooftops of city-owned buildings.

The cost? About 2 billion dollars. This is the same amount the city paid for its stadium, but the solar program is open to all, doesn\'t require a ticket or travel, and everybody loves solar. The same can\'t be said for football.

Not only will the mandate develop much-needed alternative energy, but the project itself is likely to create up to 400 new jobs - a much-needed incentive in these difficult financial times.

The end-game? Nahai hopes that opening the city to the solar industry will in turn drive solar prices down, making it a win-win for the industry and future solarees (those who would like to install solar power but can\'t afford it).

My question is, why aren\'t more cities backing solar with this kind of enthusiasm? Enough of the stadiums, malls, parking lots and high-rises. Let\'s put our tax money where it counts, now and in the future!

If you agree with me, give us a shout at Cooler Planet. And don\'t forget to visit our handy resource page, if California\'s high-flying solar ambitions have you hankering for a little piece of the sun yourself.

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