flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Massachusetts bill would mandate rooftop solar on new homes, commercial buildings

Codes and Standards

Massachusetts bill would mandate rooftop solar on new homes, commercial buildings

Proposed Bay State mandate modeled on California’s.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | March 16, 2021

Courtesy Pixabay

A new bill introduced in the Massachusetts Legislature would require that rooftop solar be included on new residential and commercial building projects.

Modeled after a similar policy in California, the bill would provide some exemptions. If the roof is too shaded, if a solar hot water system or other renewable energy technology is installed, or if the building has a green roof, it could be exempted. Affordable housing developments could also obtain exemptions.

According to the bill, amendments to the state’s building code would ensure that roofs are strong enough to support solar panels, that available roof space is maximized, and that buildings can make room for solar infrastructure. Single-family homes would need to produce enough electricity via solar each year to meet 80% of the average demand for similar houses. The state would set minimum solar energy system requirements for other buildings.

A report from an environmental advocacy group found that such a mandate would add more than 2.3 GW of solar capacity by 2045. That’s close to Massachusetts’ current total installed capacity, including utility-scale solar, of about 2.9 GW.

Related Stories

Codes and Standards | May 20, 2021

Solar panel trade group issues guidelines to rid use of components built with forced labor

Growing concern that PV industry is dependent on work camps in China.

Codes and Standards | May 19, 2021

Smart electric panels can aid transition to renewable energy

Allow customers better control of circuits; utilities can better manage demand.

Codes and Standards | May 18, 2021

Cross-laminated timber performs better than expected in shear test

Tests conducted in support of new criteria for design of CLT diaphragm.

Codes and Standards | May 13, 2021

LEED-certified federal buildings don’t use less energy than average

May be due to trade-offs on how score is developed.

Codes and Standards | May 12, 2021

White paper examines how to reduce pathogen transmission in ventilation

Pressure barriers and airflow distribution can be effective in existing buildings.

Codes and Standards | May 11, 2021

Pressure builds on White House to rein in cost of lumber

Spike in prices has added nearly $36,000 to price of average new home.

Codes and Standards | May 11, 2021

Residential codes should be upgraded to protect from cooking pollutants

Report examines ventilation standards, calls for increased public awareness of issue.

Codes and Standards | May 6, 2021

Blue roofs can provide relief to overwhelmed stormwater systems

Benefits most evident in industrial commercial areas.

Codes and Standards | May 5, 2021

Majority of schools took steps to improve air quality during pandemic

Districts still have unmet needs, face high costs and outdated building infrastructure.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




Government Buildings

OSHA’s proposed heat standard published in Federal Register

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published a proposed standard addressing heat illness in outdoor and indoor settings in the Federal Register. The proposed rule would require employers to evaluate workplaces and implement controls to mitigate exposure to heat through engineering and administrative controls, training, effective communication, and other measures.

halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021