All told last year, 516 Megawatts of renewable power were added, compared with 113 MW in the previous year, the California Public Utilities Commission said in a quarterly report to the state legislature.

Solar project offerings were up 30% in 2008.

"Clearly, 2008 was a turning point for the (renewable portfolio standards) program and contracted projects are beginning to deliver in large numbers," the CPUC report said.

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