California’s new rules requiring solar panels on almost all new homes will likely benefit solar installation and manufacturing companies, but may have a nuanced effect on energy markets more broadly.

On August 21st, the United States will experience a solar eclipse.

The eclipse will be visible across the continent, depending on cloud cover and other factors – like the lunar limb profile – and will last two minutes, give or take 1 to 3 seconds.

In California, where the sun shines almost all the time, utility-scale solar energy provides 8 gigawatts, or GW. Another 4 GW is private, and comprised of solar rooftops and arrays.  

Between the recent climate accord in Paris and a likely deal between Congressional democrats and republicans to extend the solar investment tax credit, the future is looking bright for rooftop solar.

Solar stocks started climbing after more than 250 nations came to a historic agreement this month to take actions aimed at slowing global warming. With the United States standing arm-in-arm with the United Nations at the Paris Climate Change Conference in early December, it’s clear the government will increase its support of renewable energy technologies.