BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger kicked off the Governors' Global Climate Summit on Tuesday in Los Angeles. A day after signing an executive order requiring 33 percent of the state’s energy comes from renewable sources by 2020. Renewable energy, is safe to say, is booming in Kern County.

From plans to have Meadows Field, Wasco State Prison and Cal State Bakersfield go green to individuals powering their homes in an effort to save money.

They are some of the hottest jobs under the sun as the solar energy industry is booming, especially in Kern County.

"So, there's a very high demand and alone in Bakersfield we have installed 100 units in the last 2 1/2 years," said Angiolo Laviziano, CEO and president of REC Solar.

One of those systems was installed at the Nelsons in Northeast Bakersfield in December 2006, where they've seen a sharp decline in their electrical bill.

Beverly Nelson said in the summer months of 2006, their electric bills ranged from $700 to $800 a month, but after the REC Solar system was installed, their electric bills dropped to around $150 a month.

Saving on the electrical bill is just one of many reasons Pure Energy Systems in Bakersfield says their business is booming as well, as rates keep increasing more people are looking to install panels like these on their homes.

Other factors in the solar boom include environmental concerns and a 30 percent tax credit that takes effect Jan. 1.

And Pure Energy says with the failure of Proposition 7 earlier this month, they're moving forward with larger scale projects as well.

Such projects are popping up all across the county, like the Ausra Plant north of Shafter that opened up in late October.

Bakersfield and Kern County are a perfect fit for solar energy with around 273 days of sunshine a year. "We have a nice environment for solar systems," Nelson said.

And that environment means a better job environment too for the struggling San Joaquin Valley and, for that matter, the nation.

But all good things have a bit of a catch and in this case that might be the price tag.

The Nelson's system cost $30,000, but Laviziano said it’s an investment to your home and depending on the system it may just cost between $14,000 and $16,000 up front