In a majority vote on May 9, 2018, The California Energy Commission voted 5-0 requiring solar installations on all new California residential construction starting 2020.
“Under these new standards, buildings will perform better than ever, at the same time they contribute to a reliable grid,” said Commissioner Andrew McAllister, who is the Energy Commission’s lead on energy efficiency. “The buildings that Californians buy and live in will operate very efficiently while generating their own clean energy.”[3]
The new standards estimate an additional cost to construction of $9,500. However, the savings over the life of the system will be approximately $19,000. Presuming a 30 year mortgage, the monthly payment will rise about $40 per month. The savings expected on utility bills would be $80 per month.[4]
