You may start seeing solar panels on more buildings throughout California over the next few years due to the state’s new solar power proposal, which continues a push by regulators away from fossil fuels in construction.
Under the plan, new commercial buildings and residential high rises would be required to have solar power and battery energy storage systems, building on regulations already implemented by the state.
"Three years ago we adopted the very first energy code in the United States to require solar on new homes and that generates 200 megawatts of solar annually," David Hochschild, chair of the California Energy Commission, told KCBS Radio. "This adds to that list of solar requirements for non-residential and that will do an additional 280 megawatts."
What about the cost?
The commission expects construction cost increases to be minimal and Hochschild said the new buildings will be cheaper, energy-wise, in the long run.
"Every single measure that we mandate cannot go into effect unless it saves the customer money over the life cycle of the measure," he explained. "So all of these codes actually bring down cost, not add cost because you’re talking about lower energy bills over time."
The Energy Commission unanimously approved the proposal this week and now it heads to state Building Standards Commission.
Hochschild was confident it will become part of an overall building code revision.
"In nearly 50 years of existence we’ve never had our decision not approved by the Building Standards Commission so we’re fully expecting it to be adopted at the end of the year and it will go into effect in five months," he explained.
The proposal also would require new buildings to be wired in a way that makes it easier to transition from gas, heat and appliances to electric.
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