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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.
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.
Why is it that solar only works when the government either forces people to use it or subsidizes the cost? This mature technology should be able to stand on it's own by now.
They're fucking everyone. It's clearly not good for anyone except retailers of rooftop solar panel kits. It's not even that great for solar panel manufacturers in general. It's just a handout to one very specific group. Given that such markets aren't that large, we're probably talking less than 5 companies stand to get a huge windfall while everyone else in society bears the cost.
From a practical standpoint, solar is nowhere near as efficient as wind power. Both in size and complexity of installation, and of course the resulting cost. Also the materials are far more abundant. The only rare earths are the motor magnets. We're talking a few hundred grams per generator, max.
The other great flaw in this is it requires super-complex grid-power-at-night tie in. So it's a thousand ways terrible for home owners.
captcha: degrade
$10k, on a 30-year note at 5%, is $54/mo, so your savings looks to be about $5-15/mo...if there's no maintenance cost.
This is a giveaway to the politically-connected solar industry, crony-capitalism "greenwashing" at its worst.
Moderate drunk! It's more fun that way!
One of the biggest advantages of solar in CA is 1 to 1 net metering, which basically forces me to purchase electricity from my neighbors solar array at inflated cost. ( full retail vs market production ) This is unfair and unsustainable. Add in the fact that there are huge fixed cost in maintaining a state wide electrical grid and it seems obvious that it cant go on for long
At 5%, across a 30-year mortgage, it'll end up costing over $19k. But keep telling yourself how it's "practically free!"
Moderate drunk! It's more fun that way!
Progressivism
Government so good you can't criticize it, and it needs to watch you 24/7
Too bad California has crushed your adolescent wank fests with economic results. The future looks like California. Slashdot comment threads are pornhub for RW jerkoffs.