There are lots of new laws in the works for California this year and we continue to be the leader in green house gas emission prevention. The California Energy Commission says that 26% of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions come from buildings.
Starting Jan. 1, all newly constructed homes and low-rise apartment buildings in California are required to have rooftop solar panels.
The law also requires better insulation and air filtration for new homes.
Some areas are also seeing mandates on the use of natural gas. In the Bay Area, new homes in Berkeley, San Mateo, Menlo Park, San Jose, or Marin County will not be able to install gas appliances or will have to be more energy-efficient to do so.
Home builders are buying rooftop panels to install or leasing them from solar providers.
Some developers of new-home communities are also hoping the state energy commission will approve community panels to service multiple homes.
The California Energy Commission estimates that the solar mandate and additional building code changes could add $9,500 per home in construction costs but long term savings over 30 year of about $19.000. Short term costs for long term gain. I hope other states are following suit. Saving our planet is everyone's responsibility!
Source:
“California Solar Mandate, Gas Bans Take Effect in 2020: What You Need to Know,” San Francisco Chronicle (Dec. 26, 2019)