True to its reputation as of one of the top environmental progressive states in the country, California has just become the first state to require solar panels on nearly all new homes.
It could mean two things—-the price of new homes in California will go up and rooftop solar power is moving beyond a fledling market.
The California Energy Commission moved to require new homes built after Jan. 1, 2020 to include solar systems as part of energy-efficiency standards. But critics warned it will increase the price of a new home by nearly $10,000.
It means solar energy will become a mainstream energy source—at least in California which is the nation’s largest solar market. The mandate approved Wednesday is part of Gov. Jerry Brown’s effort to cut carbon emissions by 40 percent by 2030.
“This is huge,” said Rachel Golden, senior campaign representative for the Sierra Club. “It’s a cost-effective measure that is going to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support growth in renewable clean energy.”
