KQED: In a First, California Will Require Solar Panels On All New Homes

May 9, 2018

By Amel Ahmed

On Wednesday, the California Energy Commission unanimously voted to approve new energy standards that will require all new homes in California to have solar panels and other measures geared toward making buildings more energy-efficient.

"This is just a milestone. There's a hell of a lot of work to do between now and 2020," said chairman Robert Weisenmiller. "The bottom line is we're going to stay focused on making this happen, and happen smoothly."

The commission held a hearing before the vote to solicit public comment from various trade groups. The majority of those present, which included environmental groups,  solar companies, and utilities, voiced their strong support for the new standards.

At least one manufacturing trade group, however, urged the commission to delay the move. A spokesperson for the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute expressed concern over late changes in the standards that would affect high efficiency air filters and water heaters.

In response to the request, a representative for the commission said there's no valid legal basis for the delay.

"We understand that we're good to go," the representative said.

Original post:

The California Energy Commission is expected to approve new standards on Wednesday that will require solar panels for nearly all new homes starting in 2020, marking an historic leap in the state's efforts to slash greenhouse emissions.

The new standards will apply to homes, condos and multi-family buildings up to three stories high.

The move would be a key step in meeting the state's ambitious zero net energy goals, says state Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco). In 2007, the energy commission called for all new residential buildings to produce as much energy as they consume by 2020. New commercial buildings have to meet the standard by 2030.

Wiener, who led the successful effort to pass a solar mandate for San Francisco construction in 2016, says solar energy is a necessary component of California's  zero net energy goals.

"In order to achieve zero net energy, you have to have a renewable energy source," says Wiener. "With everything happening in the country right now and President Trump's obsession with coal and the continuing strength of the oil industry, California needs to be aggressive in moving towards a clean energy future, and this is one step in that direction."

In response to the request, a representative for the commission said there's no valid legal basis for the delay.

"We understand that we're good to go," the representative said.

Original post:

The California Energy Commission is expected to approve new standards on Wednesday that will require solar panels for nearly all new homes starting in 2020, marking an historic leap in the state's efforts to slash greenhouse emissions.

'With everything happening in the country right now and President Trump's obsession with coal and the continuing strength of the oil industry, California needs to be aggressive in moving towards a clean energy future.'State Senator Scott Wiener

The new standards will apply to homes, condos and multi-family buildings up to three stories high.

The move would be a key step in meeting the state's ambitious zero net energy goals, says state Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco). In 2007, the energy commission called for all new residential buildings to produce as much energy as they consume by 2020. New commercial buildings have to meet the standard by 2030.

Wiener, who led the successful effort to pass a solar mandate for San Francisco construction in 2016, says solar energy is a necessary component of California's  zero net energy goals.

"In order to achieve zero net energy, you have to have a renewable energy source," says Wiener. "With everything happening in the country right now and President Trump's obsession with coal and the continuing strength of the oil industry, California needs to be aggressive in moving towards a clean energy future, and this is one step in that direction."

While the step is significant, California has been preparing for the transition to solar energy for years, according to a spokeswoman for the state energy commission.

Read the whole story on KQED.com