California to Mandate Solar Panels on All New Construction Homes Starting in 2020By TRACY FOSTERLINGon 5/9/2018

  • CALIFORNIA
  • POLICYUPDATE
  • SOLAR PANELS
  • SOLAR ROOF MANDATE

The California Energy Commission approved a plan, in a 5-0 vote, requiring all newly constructed homes to have rooftop solar, going into effect in 2020. The recommended energy efficiency standards will be added to building regulations and requirements at some point this year. This mandate makes California the first state in the United States to require new construction homes to have solar panels, increasing its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Key Provisions

  • The mandate applies to newly constructed residences and major home renovations beginning January 1, 2020
  • Applies to multi-family residential buildings under three stories (condos, apartment complexes)
  • Exceptions made for homes with inadequate roof space for the solar array
  • Exempt homes will be required to have access to community solar and additional efficiency gains
  • Will offer credit for a solar plus storage system
  • Homebuilding firms can roll the cost into a mortgage, lease or another financing option

What’s the net effect?

The mandate of adding solar panels onto all homes in California is expected to increase the prices of homes by $8,000-$10,000. Critics of this recently passed plan say that increasing the costs of homes will continue to worsen that state’s housing crisis. California already has one of the most expensive housing markets in the nation. Higher sales points could hurt home developers, real estate companies and ultimately potential home buyers. Many are also concerned about the increase in electricity rates with more solar power being added, as well as those who don’t have solar arrays paying higher prices per month for electricity. The mandate is expected to reduce a home’s energy usage by 53% and save homeowners at least $40/month on their energy bills. The estimated savings is roughly $19,500 over 30 years. Solar advocates and associations also estimate that the mandate will add 200 MW of deployed solar every year.

Updates made in Energy Toolbase

When the new mandate goes into effect, Energy Toolbase will continue to enable solar installers as well as general contractors to accurately project the economics of the projects for homeowners from start to finish. With the mandate, comes the increase of home prices due to the cost of installation of the PV array. Our tool will show your homeowners exactly what they’re paying for based on their utility and what the mandated solar array is going to be saving them monthly and yearly. 

Links

California approves solar power law for new homes built from 2020
https://www.power-technology.com/news/california-solar-power-law-2020/

Dec 6, 2018 – The California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) has approved a new solar power law that requires houses built in the state from 2020 …California solar panel mandate could cost new homeowners big
https://www.cnbc.com/…/california-solar-panel-mandate-could-cost-new-homeowners…

Feb 17, 2019 – Starting next year, every new home built in California will have … Why California’s new solar mandate could cost new homeowners up to an extra $10,000 … Although the law begins next year, a Realtor.com study found 8 of …California Gives Final OK To Require Solar Panels On New Houses …
https://www.npr.org/…/california-gives-final-ok-to-requiring-solar-panels-on-new-house…
Dec 6, 2018 – Solar panels will be a required feature on new houses in California, after the state’s Building Standards Commission gave final approval to a housing rule that’s the first of its kind in the United States. Set to take effect in 2020, the new standard includes an exemption for houses that are often shaded from the sun.California Becomes 1st State to Require Solar Panels on New Homes …
https://fortune.com/2018/12/06/california-solar-panels-new-homes/

Dec 6, 2018 – California commission gives final OK to for new homes to have solar panels and it … Error Code: MEDIA_ERR_SRC_NOT_SUPPORTED.California Approves Rule Requiring Solar Panels on New Homes …
https://www.archdaily.com/…/california-approves-rule-requiring-solar-panels-on-new-…

Dec 28, 2018 – California Approves Rule Requiring Solar Panels on New Homes … panel rule in May as part of California‘s Green Building Standards Code.California Will Require Solar Power for New Homes – The New York …
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/09/business/energy…/california-solar-power.html
May 9, 2018 – California law requires at least 50 percent of the state’s electricity to come from noncarbon-producing sources by 2030. Solar power has increasingly become a driver in the growth of the state’s alternative energy production.New California law mandates new homes to have solar panels | Las …
https://www.reviewjournal.com › Business › Energy

Dec 14, 2018 – California became the first state last week to sign off on a mandate that will require all new homes to have solar panels installed as they are …The California Solar Mandate Rolls Out In 2020. Here’s How to Comply.
https://www.wholesalesolar.com/blog/california-solar-mandate-compliance-guide/

 Rating: 4.8 – ‎237 votesFeb 6, 2019 – The California solar mandate requires all new homes built after 2020 to be outfitted with … Here’s what you need to know to comply with the law.Starting in 2020, all new homes in California must come with solar …
https://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/…/la-fi-solar-mandate-20181214-story.ht…

Dec 14, 2018 – California is requiring all newly constructed homes to have solar … they will need to find the cheapest way to comply with the law to avoid losing …California’s Rooftop Solar Mandate Wins Final Approval | Greentech …
https://www.greentechmedia.com/…/california-solar-roof-mandate-wins-final-approva…

Dec 5, 2018 – All new homes in California must incorporate solar power starting in … on this back in 2008 and the last three [building code] updates in 2010, …