Next Year California Will Be the First State to Mandate Solar Power for New Homes
The effort is part of the state’s push to wean off fossil fuels and combat climate change.
-
CategoryDesign, Homes + Spaces, Sustainability
Starting in 2020, California will require all new homes have some sort of power draw from solar energy. With housing affordability an ongoing issue in the Golden State, the new rule will increase home costs by about $9,500. However, the solar installation is estimated to yield a net savings of $19,000 over 30 years.
According to Bloomberg Businessweek, “California already leads the U.S. in home solar panels. Solar makes up about one-seventh of its electricity supply, and that’s expected to grow for the state to meet its goal of 100% carbon-free power by 2045. Others may follow: Massachusetts is weighing a similar mandate, as is Maryland’s Montgomery County. “California has provided the template for a lot of U.S. clean energy policy,” says Hugh Bromley, an analyst for BloombergNEF.”
You can read more about the upcoming solar boom here.
A New Documentary Explores the Musical Legacy of LA’s Laurel Canyon
The birth of the California Sound in the mid-60s.
Your Guide to Less-Traveled CA Wine Regions, and What to Drink When There
Raise a glass to these less-frequented wine appellations, from SLO to Mendocino.
Breadbar Bakery Focuses on the Craft and Passion Behind Its Bread
Breadbar co-owner Ali Chalabi takes us through his artisanal wholesale bakery and explains why he stepped away from the retail side of the business.
