California Solar Panel Requirement Drives Up Housing Costs

California became the first state in the nation to make solar mandatory for new houses.

California solar panel requirement drives up housing costs.

By now you might have heard that california passed a law requiring all newly built homes to be equipped with a solar power system. The california solar mandate is part of an initiative by the california energy. Roughly 110 000 new housing units are built every year in california. The average cost for an installed residential solar system in california is currently 11 877 after claiming the 26 federal solar tax credit.

The california energy commission predicted that the new solar power law will increase the initial costs of housing by 9 500 on average but could save as much as 19 000 in the long run in energy savings over a 30 year period. Overall 6 6 of california homes now have solar panels. Beginning in 2020 newly constructed homes must have solar panels which could be costly for homeowners. California regulators say a solar roof will add 9 500 in new costs but the average price of a solar roof in california is 19 380.

The solar pv requirement only applies to new buildings under three stories tall. California s 2019 building energy efficiency standards officially take effect on january 1 2020. We ve just published our 2020 ca solar mandate calculator to help you figure out what size solar system you will need under the new requirements. California gives final ok to require solar panels on new houses single and small multi family homes must include solar panels starting in 2020.

This is 2 68 per watt. A state board in california has approved a proposal to require solar panels on all new homes beginning in 2020 a measure that would increase the cost of new construction but provide savings on. California became the first state in the nation last year to require solar panels on newly built homes. How many new homes will get solar after jan.

But it s starting to look like the mandate wasn t quite a mandate.