California Solar Panel Requirement

California is requiring all newly constructed homes to have solar panels starting in 2020.

California solar panel requirement.

California already generates more electricity from solar power than any other state. Solar panels will be a required feature on virtually every new home built in california under a policy advanced wednesday by california regulators again putting the state in the forefront of. California is the first state in the country to do so. The california energy commission estimated its rooftop solar requirement would save the average single family home about 35 per month with mortgage payments rising but energy bills falling even.

All low rise residential buildings shall have a photovoltaic pv system meeting the minimum qualification requirements as specified in joint appendix ja11 with annual electrical output equal to or greater than the dwelling s annual electrical usage as determined by equation 150 1 c. The california energy commission adopted building standards that require solar photovoltaic systems starting in 2020. California s 2019 building energy efficiency standards officially take effect on january 1 2020. The solar pv requirement only applies to new buildings under three stories tall.

The law requires all new homes to have solar panels. The law will reduce energy bills and emissions but it will raise the cost of a new home. Online resource center documents and training information to help building communities and enforcement agencies comply with the building energy efficiency standards. Developers are looking for ways to comply while keeping their homes affordable.

The california rps program was established in 2002 by senate bill sb 1078 sher 2002 with the initial requirement that 20 of electricity retail sales must be served by renewable resources by 2017. But now a dramatic expansion is about to begin as new building codes take effect jan.