As part of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's $3.3 billion, Million Solar Roofs Program is moving the state toward a cleaner energy future and helping lower the cost of solar systems for consumers. It has two parts:

• The California Public Utilities Commission, through its California Solar Initiative, provides incentives over the next decade for existing residential homes and existing and new commercial, industrial, and agricultural properties.

• The California Energy Commission manages a 10-year, $400 million program to encourage solar in new home construction through its New Solar Homes Partnership.

The overall goal is to help build a self-sustaining photovoltaic, solar electricity market. The current program does not fund solar hot water systems, but a pilot program in the San Diego area is being done to set the ground work for a rebate program for solar hot water.