On Wednesday, the California Energy Commission approved a set of standards that will require most new homes built in the state after 2020 to include solar panels on their roofs.
Standards (PDF) applies only to single-family homes and low-rise condos, townhouses, and apartments. Exceptions are made for buildings with roofs that will receive the most shade during the day or buildings with roofs that are too small to benefit from fewer solar panels.
The standards also include some performance requirements for non-residential buildings. The state hopes that, collectively, the new requirements will help state residents save money. Overall, California expects new residential and non-residential standards to cost the state economy $2.17 billion, while generating energy savings of $3.87 billion, for a total savings of $1.7 billion.
The standards must also be approved by the state Building Standards Board, according to ABC7.
Registration OC reported Earlier this week said the new standards are the successor to the “net-zero” resolution that California lawmakers have toyed with implementing. Such a goal would have required that all new homes built after 2020 produce as much energy as a household would. The simple requirement to have solar panels on buildings has been supported by architects and environmentalists, although solar industry groups have pushed for more stringent requirements.
Therefore, adding a solar requirement to new homes will increase the cost of new homes in a state where the cost of living is already high. Proponents of the measure say that while the upfront cost of building or buying the home increases, utility costs for the home will decrease every month.
You may find some opportunities for creative pricing with new techniques. Registration OC Note that builders can make solar systems less efficient if they install batteries on the building. A homeowner will receive “compliance credits” for including an energy storage system. The provisions would also encourage homeowners to move away from gas-burning appliances and include things like electric stoves and water heaters.