I heard on the news today that California's Energy Commission may be breaking new ground with its 2013 regulations. If passed, California will be the first state in the US to require that all new housing be built "solar ready".
I'm not sure I understand it fully. Evidently, some building materials are not suited for carrying the weight of solar panels. Also, some houses are built so that adding solar panels would not be efficient. There is too much shade or other things block the path of solar panels.
If these regulations go through, new housing in California will have to be built to new codes and builders will have to consider which directions houses face and landscaping needs so that if the owner wants to add solar panels they can do so easily. It would be nice if they required all new housing to have solar panels, but I guess that is asking too much.
I wonder if any other countries have these building codes already? Germany was outpacing the US in the installation of solar panels. I wonder if they build their buildings to be solar ready?
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Solar Ready Housing?
Started by FamilyTreeClimber, May 31 2012 11:54 PM
6 replies to this topic
#3
Posted 01 June 2012 - 04:37 AM
We do not have such building codes yet and I think we are still far from having that.
Although there are also steps on shifting for greener energy sources here, solar are not that common since it is costly and do not fit on majority of the houses here so far. Some alternative energy sources are usually implemented on provinces here like hydro and wind energy.
Although there are also steps on shifting for greener energy sources here, solar are not that common since it is costly and do not fit on majority of the houses here so far. Some alternative energy sources are usually implemented on provinces here like hydro and wind energy.
#4
Posted 01 June 2012 - 07:06 AM
That would be great if it passes in California because other states usually follow their lead and may also pass similar laws. It would be nice if they could expand and included other alternative energy options in this as well.
#5
Posted 01 June 2012 - 11:22 AM
Keep in mind the solar panels do not necessarily have to be installed on the roof. A local town built an Eco-Center a few years ago and installed the solar panels on a stand, which allows the panel to face the sun for most of the day; this maximizes the amount of energy it produces. They also installed a wind turbine for the cloudy or winter days. Since we generally have at least a breeze here no matter what time of day or night it is, I think the combination of the two is ideal. I am unsure whether or not the building is tied to the grid.
#6
Posted 01 June 2012 - 06:49 PM
This is good news, but at the same time may become cost prohibitive for many people. I know for me buying a new home would not be possible if I had to match these requirements as well. However, it is nice that CA is coming around to require this because it is something which should be done to guarantee homes are ready for the conversion.
#7
Posted 01 June 2012 - 10:44 PM
I do wonder how much it will add the cost of homes. California has one of the most expensive housing markets in the country already.
Still, it makes sense to prepare for the future. Why not make the houses ready for a solar conversion. It will make it easier for the owner if they choose to add solar later. It makes no sense to build houses without the ability to be installed with solar especially in a state with a lot of sunshine.
Still, it makes sense to prepare for the future. Why not make the houses ready for a solar conversion. It will make it easier for the owner if they choose to add solar later. It makes no sense to build houses without the ability to be installed with solar especially in a state with a lot of sunshine.
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