SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA — California has become the first U.S. state to require all new homes to be equipped with solar panels.
According to Reuters, the five-member California Energy Commission voted unanimously in favor of the proposed rule on Wednesday.
According to Business Insider, starting January 1, 2020 any new residence three stories or less, including single-family dwellings, apartment buildings or condos, will be required to have solar panels installed.
Houses covered in shade and homes with tiny roofs will not need panels.
The energy commission says the new mandate will cost the average single-family homeowner about 10 grand upfront, while builders say it run more around $14,000 to $16,000.
Energy Commission spokeswoman Amber Pasricha Beck told Reuters, homeowners will save around $19,000 in energy and maintenance costs over 30 years.
