A California state senator has introduced a bill that would require the installation of solar power on new commercial and residential buildings statewide.
If the proposal were to become law, it would be the first such requirement in U.S. history, according to a press release by Scott Wiener, the legislator behind the bill. The statewide mandate would be similar to a city law that Wiener wrote and helped pass in 2016 as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
The board approved the city ordinance last year that required new small and midsized buildings in San Francisco to include solar. Some other California cities have enacted similar solar mandates.
According to current California state law, all new residential and commercial buildings up to 10 stories tall must have 15% of their roof area solar ready—defined as unshaded and free of obtrusions. The proposed new legislation would require that solar be installed on the 15% of solar-ready roof area. The solar mandate could be fulfilled by either photovoltaic or solar water systems.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jun 29, 2021
Biden China policy may spur more increased U.S. PV manufacturing capacity
Senate bill proposes advanced solar manufacturing production credit.
Codes and Standards | Jun 28, 2021
Local and state building energy performance standards aim to curb climate change
Owners must up the ante on operations and retrofits.
Codes and Standards | Jun 24, 2021
Biden Administration will restore ‘Waters of the U.S.’ protections ended by Trump
Early revision more likely to hold up in court, says legal expert.
Codes and Standards | Jun 23, 2021
Denver unveils renewable heating and cooling plan
City releases roadmap to decarbonizing existing homes and buildings.
Codes and Standards | Jun 22, 2021
Actually, few companies plan to significantly reduce their office footprint
CBRE survey shows that many firms will continue with hybrid work.
Codes and Standards | Jun 21, 2021
Vancouver, B.C., may delay new zero emissions building standards
Building permit delays may postpone new standards by a year.
Codes and Standards | Jun 17, 2021
Buffalo’s parking reform having noticeable impact on development
Elimination of mandatory parking allotments encourages new projects.
Codes and Standards | Jun 16, 2021
Inconsistent building codes make some states more vulnerable to hurricanes
Florida takes top spot for strongest building code in latest IBHS survey.
Codes and Standards | Jun 15, 2021
Growing housing supply gap will worsen affordability crisis
Supply projected to fall 4.5 million units short in 2022.
Codes and Standards | Jun 15, 2021
Florida will allow virtual inspections, building code enforcement, permit issuance
New law will go into effect on July 1, 2021.