City of Lancaster - Mandatory Solar Requirement for New Homes

Last updated: August 28, 2018

Program Overview

Implementing Sector:Local
Category:Regulatory Policy
State:California
Incentive Type:Building Energy Code
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies:Solar Photovoltaics

Authorities

Name:Code of Ordinances § 17.08.305
Effective Date:01/01/2014

Summary

In 2013 The City of Lancaster became the first U.S. city to require photovoltaics (PV) to be installed on new homes. All residential buildings with a building permit issuance date of January 1, 2014 or later must have a certain amount of photovoltaics (PV) installed. The specific system size requirements vary according to zone and lot type:

Building Type Zone/Lot Type System SizeRequirement
Rural Residential  RR 2.5 1.5 kW
Rural Residential RR-1 1.5 kW
Rural Residential SRR 1.5 kW
Single-family Residential R-15,000 1.5 kW
Single-family Residential R-10,000 1.25 kW
Single-family Residential R-7,000 1.0 kW
Single-family Residential Infill R-7,000 (with RPD) 0.75 kW
Single-family Residential Infill R-7,000 (alley access with RPD) 0.50 kW
Single-family Residential SFR Corner Duplex 1.0 kW
Small apartment/condominium building/complex (two to fifteen (15) units) MDR or HDR 0.50 kW
Large apartment/condominium building/complex (sixteen (16) or more units) MDR or HDR 0.50 kW

 

PV is not required on all homes within a production subdivision, but the builder must meet the aggregate requirement within the subdivision. For example, one house with twice the required PV can meet the requirement of two houses. Homebuilders may also meet the requirement off-site by providing evidence of purchasing solar renewable energy credits (SRECs) from a system located within the city. 

 

 

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