Page 8 - Green Builder May-June 2018 Issue

Green Building NEWS

The Latest on Sustainability and Renewable Energy

Rising Sun: Mandatory Solar

Gets Green Light in California

PV builders and manufacturers could
see major growth once the requirement

takes effect in 2020.

ALIFORNIA HAS BECOME THE FIRST STATE to require solar panels
on most new single- and many new multi-family homes. The
California Energy Commission (CEC) voted unanimously on the
C mandate, which applies to all building permits issued as of Jan. 1,
2020. The requirement is projected to increase home construction costs by
$25,000 to $30,000, according to the CEC. CREDIT: MATT COGHLAN/FLICKR
New homes are not required to reach net-zero status, but it will offer
homebuilders incentives, such as a compliance credit for installation of home
storage batteries. The devices enable construction of smaller solar arrays, Sun power. Once required only in select cities, solar energy-powered new
because excess energy will be available when needed, CEC Commissioner homes will be a standard in California starting in 2020.
David Hochschild says. closer to that of electric power, according to a report by the Lawrence
The mandate does not apply to homes where solar isn’t practical, such as Berkeley National Laboratory.
when a roof is in permanent shade, or if the roof is not big enough for an array Those not totally on board with the requirement, such as the Orange County
that can fully power the home. The regulation also does not apply to remodels Building Industry Association, have expressed concern that it will drive up
or to multi-family buildings that exceed three stories. the price of new homes and push more buyers out of the market, making the
The requirement offers good news for builders. Only about 20 percent state’s housing crisis worse.
of current single-family homes have built-in solar capacity. Upping that Other entities, such as the City of Lancaster, note that it and many other
total to 100 percent will mean increased business for photovoltaic panel California cities have had solar mandates in effect for years, with very little
installers and manufacturers. It will also help bring the cost of solar even negative impact on housing prices or sales.

GAS UP YOUR DELIVERY TRUCK, GO GREEN

This new fuel card means extra change-related causes such as environmental nonprofits

money for sustainable nonprofits. nationwide that are working on sustainable transportation,
community resilience and environmental justice issues.
ELIVERING SUPPLIES OR TRAVELING to a worksite The card has been called a mechanism for new type of
may now help the environment. Boston-based “carbon tax” that is voluntarily chosen and privately invested,
nonprofit Green Gas has unveiled a gasoline Kornack notes. This can make a real difference for the health
D payment card that reverses a vehicle’s of local communities and the planet at large. “Many people
environmental impact at the pump by making a donation to are looking for a way to channel their frustration about
a green cause for every gallon of gasoline purchased. CREDIT: GREEN GAS CO. the negative impact of climate change, and this may be
According to Green Gas Executive Director Kyle Kornack, that outlet,” Kornack adds. “Simply put, we are all looking
10 cents for every gallon goes toward efforts such as carbon Sustainability perk. Pumping to do more. [Here’s a chance] to translate this sense of
offset projects that are certified by third-party auditors gas can now do more than fill the helplessness into powerful and enduring environmental
to neutralize members’ carbon footprints. In addition, tank. It can also help fund local impact on the ground—one gas tank at a time.”
an optional phone app rounds up the price of gasoline and national green projects and
purchases and donates the spare amount to climate education efforts. Interested persons may learn more at www.greengasmovement.org.

6 GREEN BUILDER May/June 2018 www.greenbuildermedia.com

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