I'm a Colorado resident -- and I'm proud of the fact that, in the U.S., Colorado is pushing California, the nation's current renewable energy leader, on the renewable energy front.

The Colorado Legislature recently passed a law which will require that 30-percent of the state's energy be produced by renewable sources by 2020. Gov. Bill Ritter, a strong supporter of renewable energy, is almost certain to sign the bill into law soon!

What I am equally proud of is the fact that we will soon be adding directly to that total with what we hope will be a 5.5 kW solar system that will be installed on our roof in June 2010 (see the article 'What comes first -- the EV or the solar system' for the reason why I've put the word "hope" in).

Of course, it's unlikely that a majority of Colorado's renewable energy will come from solar, as the law requires that only 3 percent be produced by distributed renewable energy forms. In sunny Colorado, solar is likely to end up covering much of that total.

It's also good news in my view that Colorado is requiring that at least 50 percent of the solar added fall into the distributed generation category, meaning, local rooftop solar. Local solar is greener, more efficient, and fundamentally more democratic that giant solar farms.

I'd like to see Colorado surpass that percentage -- and then some, though, of course, utility and state rebates will have to be extended beyond the 3 percent point for that to happen.

It's also good news in my view that Colorado is requiring that at least 50 percent of the solar added fall into the distributed generation category, meaning, local rooftop solar. Local solar is greener, more efficient, and fundamentally more democratic that giant solar farms.

As Environment Colorado, an environmental advocacy group puts it, "Distributed generation solar supports local business growth and allows every Coloradan to directly contribute to the New Energy Economy by producing their own clean electricity" -- and, should we add, it also allows for every Coloradan to potentially independently solar-charge an EV or PHEV too!

I hope other states follow in Colorado's footsteps and step up to the plate for renewable energy -- and a cleaner, greener world for us all.

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