The Million Solar Roofs bill passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on an 8-5 vote along partisan lines May 26. SB 1 by Senators Kevin Murray (D-Los Angeles) and John Campbell (R-Costa Mesa) aims to increase the solar capacity in the state from about 93 MW today to 3,000 MW over the next 13 years. The million roof installations are expected to reduce electricity consumption on average by 28.5 percent, according to the committee analysis. Subsidies and tax credits would lower the cost of 2.5 kW photovoltaic systems by about 36 percent?from $22,500 to $14,338?the analysis states. It does not factor in the anticipated drop in solar panel costs associated with economies of scale. It will not be smooth sailing for the legislation, which must be passed by the full Senate by May 27. There remains opposition over its high price tag?up to $1 billion (<i>Circuit</i>, April 28, 2005). If SB 1 musters the requisite votes, it will head to the Assembly.