California to require solar photovoltaic systems on all new homes after 2020

Homeowners will have the option to buy systems outright or, as I suspect most will do, contract with a solar provider like Solar City or Sunrun (disclaimer: I have a Sunrun system on my house in CT) to install and maintain the system for a fixed monthly fee that escalates at a couple of percent per year for 20 years. I actually think solar leases will start running to 25 or 30 years as the PV panels are not degrading as rapidly with age as expected.

http://www.energy.ca.gov/releases/2018_releases/2018-05-09_building_standards_adopted_nr.html

Energy Commission Adopts Standards Requiring Solar Systems for New Homes, First in Nation

SACRAMENTO - Moving to cut energy use in new homes by more than 50 percent, the California Energy Commission today adopted building standards that require solar photovoltaic systems starting in 2020. The building energy efficiency standards, which are the first in the nation to require solar, will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an amount equivalent to taking 115,000 fossil fuel cars off the road.

The cost-effective 2019 Building Energy Efficiency Standards, which take effect on Jan. 1, 2020, focus on four key areas: smart residential photovoltaic systems, updated thermal envelope standards (preventing heat transfer from the interior to exterior and vice versa), residential and nonresidential ventilation requirements, and nonresidential lighting requirements. The ventilation measures improve indoor air quality, protecting homeowners from air pollution originating from outdoor and indoor sources. For the first time, the standards also establish requirements for newly constructed healthcare facilities.