Solar Panels to be Required on New California Homes

• May 9, 2018

by Nena Perry-Brown

Florida may be the Sunshine State, but California may soon become the sun-powered state.

The New York Times is reporting that the California Energy Commission will likely approve building code changes to require that solar panel installations be incorporated into all new homes as of 2020. The installations are expected to add $8,000 to $12,000 to the cost of construction.

Newly constructed homes will need solar panels and new developments will be able to have a communal solar installation. Rooftop installations can either be rolled into the price of the home purchase or can be leased separately.

The new requirement would make California the first state to require that solar power be incorporated in all new homes and falls in line with the state's requirement that at least half of  electricity come from non carbon-producing sources by 2030. Currently, about 16 percent of the state's electricity is sourced from solar power.

The Energy Commission has estimated that the new mandate will add $40 in monthly costs for homeowners with 30-year mortgages, but will also save them $80 a month on energy costs. As of next year, a new rate structure will also charge consumers based on the time of day electricity is used.

“The best way to see this code update is as a step, an important step that we defined over a decade ago, part of an overall suite of reforms to reduce greenhouse gases,” said Andrew McAllister, an Energy Commission member. “Any additional amount in the mortgage is more than offset. It’s good for the customer; it’s good for the homeowner.”

This article originally published at http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/solar-panels-to-be-compulsory-on-newly-constructed-california-homes/13958