Copy That, Green Leader: California May Become First State to Require Solar Panels on New Homes

The California Energy Commission votes this week on a program requiring solar panels on most new single-family, and certain multifamily homes. If approved, the change would go into effect January 1, 2020, and the Golden State would become the first to implement such a mandate.

The estimated cost of the mandate would be $10,538 in upfront residential construction costs, with expected energy savings of $16,251 over the next thirty years. For residential homeowners, the updated energy standards will translate to an additional $40 per month over the thirty year period, while also saving $80 per month on heating, cooling, and lighting bills, CNBC reports. The state's proposal aims to cut energy use in half with the new standards requiring solar panels on new homes.

"California has been a leader in solar in the U.S. for a long time and it's paid dividends both economically and to our environment here," said Sean Gallagher, vice president of state affairs for the Solar Energy Industries Association, a national trade association of manufacturers, developers and installers in the U.S. solar-energy industry. "California is taking a step further basically recognizing that solar should be as commonplace as a front door welcoming you home."

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