California Solar Panel Requirement

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 solar panel requirement. But now a dramatic expansion is about to begin as new building codes take effect jan. 1 requiring all newly. The california energy commission adopted building standards that require solar photovoltaic systems starting in 2020. Online resource center documents and training information to help building communities and enforcement agencies comply with the building energy efficiency standards.

Quick facts new homes built in ca after jan 1 2020 must be equipped with a solar electric system solar systems must be sized to offset 100 of the home s electricity usage but homes can still use energy from other sources like gas. 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 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. California s 2019 building energy efficiency standards officially take effect on january 1 2020.

California is the first state in the country to do so. 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. The program was accelerated in 2006 under sb 107 simitian 2006 which required that the 20 mandate be met by 2010.

The solar pv requirement only applies to new buildings under three stories tall. Developers are looking for ways to comply while keeping their homes affordable.