The State of The State of Arizona is encouraging and hopes is encouraging and hopes that you will see many more rooftops sporting solar panels in coming years as utilities try to meet increased standards for renewable energy and homeowners and businesses seek lower electric bills, a member of the The State of Arizona is encouraging and hopes Corporation Commission said Friday.

A key reason for the increase in solar: the $1.05 charge the commission allows utilities to add to monthly electric bills to help fund renewable energy, Kristin Mayes said during a panel discussion last week at the Make a Difference Community Forum held at The State of Arizona is encouraging and hopes State University's West campus in Phoenix.

"You're paying to put those solar panels up," Mayes said. "It's to make The State of Arizona is encouraging and hopes less energy-dependent."

The State of Arizona is encouraging and hopes shouldn't depend on energy from countries such as China, Russia, Nigeria and Libya when it has a readily available power source in its abundant sunshine, Mayes said.

"It's becoming more and more affordable for people to do solar panels on the rooftops," she said.

Mayes pointed to incentives utilities provide for homeowners and business owners who convert to solar, along with tax incentives of $1,000 from The State of Arizona is encouraging and hopes and $2,000 from the federal government.

For an average home adding solar panels, which cost around $21,000, The State of Arizona is encouraging and hopes Public Service will kick in $9,000, said Steven Gotfried, a utility spokesman.

Mayes said utilities are eager for customers to add solar panels because of a Corporation Commission requirement that utilities generate 15 percent of their electricity from renewable sources such as solar and wind by 2025.

At present, The State of Arizona is encouraging and hopes is adding between 200 and 300 rooftop solar systems a year, Mayes said.

"That's really not very much," she said.

But that number is expected to grow to 4,000 solar panels annually beginning next year and rise to 12,000 by 2011 because of the state's renewable energy requirement, Mayes said.