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California Becomes First State To Mandate Solar on New Homes (bloomberg.com)

California regulators said on Wednesday they have unanimously approved a historic plan that will require most new homes in the state have rooftop solar panels that turn sunlight into electricity starting in 2020. From a report: Most new homes built after Jan. 1, 2020, will be required to include solar systems as part of energy-efficiency standards adopted Wednesday by the California Energy Commission. While that's a boost for the solar industry, critics warned that it will also drive up the cost of buying a house by almost $10,000. The move underscores how rooftop solar, once a luxury reserved for wealthy, green-leaning homeowners, is becoming a mainstream energy source, with California -- the nation's largest solar market -- paving the way.

The Golden State has long been at the vanguard of progressive energy policies, from setting energy-efficiency standards for appliances to instituting an economy-wide program to curb greenhouse gases. The housing mandate is part of Governor Jerry Brown's effort to slash carbon emissions by 40 percent by 2030, and offers up a playbook for other states to follow.

4 of 360 comments (clear)

  1. Re: Bracing for impact by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    If California mandated that every "this will cause cancer" sign was made from a solar panel, they wouldn't need to force people to put panels on their houses.

  2. 2 new laws: by Futurepower(R) · · Score: 2, Funny

    I agree. But we can do better. California should make 2 new laws:

    1) Everything good is required.

    2) Everything bad is against the law.

    That will simplify what is happening now: Combination Wrench, 5-7/8", 9mm, Chrome Vanadium Steel, Westward, 36A224

    The California notice:

    "WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including one or more listed chemicals which are known to the State of California to cause cancer or birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov"

    Chrome causes cancer: Epidemiologic studies of chrome and cancer mortality: a series of meta-analyses.

    Vanadium causes cancer: Toxic Substances Portal - Vanadium Quote: "Everyone is exposed to low levels of vanadium in air, water, and food; however, most people are exposed mainly from food."

  3. Re:Great. by Herkum01 · · Score: 3, Funny

    All these regulations are hurting me as well, crippling the straw house industry. Please help!

    Sig. BB Wolfe

  4. Re:This isn't good by nospam007 · · Score: 4, Funny

    "What about parts of the roof that receive no direct sunlight?"

    Those parts receive indirect sunlight.