New state law requires emission-free California

Why is California creating laws mandating specific emission standards for the future? Is this just the typical overreaction from environmentalists or is it a harbinger of future climate laws? For sensible people who believe that man is causing planetary danger, we should not be surprised. California has been at the forefront of renewable energy in the United States for many years. Now the state has a law that at least half of all electricity must come from carbon emission-free by the year 2030. On May 9, 2018, the state upped the ante, with the California Energy Commission unanimously approving a plan that mandates all new homes and apartment buildings must have some form of solar power. That is a big breakthrough in alternative energy policy and some meatheads are very unhappy about it. More on that later...It is true that similar mandates have been passed by U.S. cities, but this is the first of its kind for a state. According to a press release from the California Energy Commission, these new requirements will reduce greenhouse gas emissions the same amount as taking 115,000 cars off the road. It’s a development that seems like good news given current concerns about climate change.

What does this new law actually state?

The “law” is actually a set of standards, which mandate much more than just solar panels on every newly constructed roof. The 2019 Energy Efficiency Standards will also require new buildings to have better insulation and better ventilation, and require energy-efficient upgrades to lighting for non-residential structures. The standards also encourage “demand-responsive technologies,” such as battery storage systems and heat pump-based water heaters, which, will allow residents to store electricity when they generate too much power and use less energy on heating. Every new home will be required to have some form of solar power. Builders can either add panels to individual homes or create shared power systems (solar gardens) for a group of homes. These homes will still be hooked up to the traditional power grid, for occasions when the sun isn’t shining. The mandate also includes an exception for homes that can’t use solar, such as those that are completely in shade.

When does the new law take effect?

New homes don’t have to start installing solar panels tomorrow. The new standards first have to be approved by the Building Standards Commission, which should make a decision by the end of the year. If that happens, the standards will take effect on January 1, 2020.

Solar power is here to stay, and the sooner you explore how much you can save, the sooner you can enjoy the benefits of residential solar power. Go to HahaSmart.com and try our price checker tool. It tells you how much solar power you need, and how much you can save.

Please visit our solar blog to find out more about the benefits of going solar.