California Set To Require Solar Panels on New Homes
California state board has signed the motion to require solar panels on all new homes. This movement, which will start in the year 2020, will reduce utility expenses although it will shoot up the cost of new constructions. Aside from reducing utility costs, it will lower greenhouse gas emissions which have been the aim of the state.
While other cities like South Miami and San Francisco currently have a requirement for solar panels on every home, California would be the first state in the country to have such requirements.
California has come up with a new rule that would cover every low-rise residential building in the state; however, houses that are regularly in the shade are excluded.
The new regulation was approved in mid-May by the California Energy Commission (CEC); however, this has not been approved by the Building Standards Commission (BSC).
Many organizations all support the plan, the same plan they have helped to grow over the past years. However, the leaders of the Republican legislative kicked against the idea saying Californians can no longer pay for housing in the state due to high cost.
The state organized a report and the result is that the requirement has an upfront cost of not less than $9,365. This cost will be balanced by utility savings in the coming years, however, homebuyers, developers, and real estate agents will still be hurt by the higher sales point.
According to statistics, the state with the highest housing costs across the country is California, and is also the state with insufficient housing.
Due to the way electric bills are calculated in California, bills of ratepayers are likely going to increase if the number of solar panels is increased in the state.
Above all, making solar panels a must have, is likely going to be cost-effective due to the fact that it is possibly the only current method for the state to achieve its aim of making new homes be produce as much as they use, in terms of power.
The California EPA released a report into the consequences for climate change in California the same day the new regulation was approved by the California Energy Commission.
According to the report, the following are as a result of global warming: wildfires, dying trees, droughts, and warming waters. Despite all of this, researchers are still optimistic that the greenhouse gas emission of the state is reducing even as the population continues to grow.
According to California energy commission, the state has been preparing for solar panels for a very long time. In a statement made by Beck, all new homes were required to be solar-ready in 2013. She went on saying there should be some spaces made available on the roof for solar panel just in case the homeowner feels like or it becomes necessary to add a solar panel in the future.
The idea is to make California homes energy-efficient and as well reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the state below 40% come the year 2030.
According to a report released by California Public Utilities Commission, about 14% greenhouse gas emissions in the state is as a result of the electricity consumed by commercial and residential buildings. However, the benefits, the cost of the new requirement have been an issue. According to a homebuilder, it will cost about $30,000 to add solar panels to a home which is about three times the estimate of the commission. Another issue on the table is how this new requirement will help in fighting climate change.
The biggest climate issue the state is facing is from transportation which is about 40% emissions compared to the one generated by electricity which is just 20%. The idea to add solar panels to new homes is likely going to be difficult to increase housing density in the state which will definitely affect the reduction of emissions.
Utility companies have been yearning for an increase in solar operations as preferred to rooftop power. Their point is solar farms give the customers the opportunity to have solar power and the advantage being cost reduction.