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California to become first U.S. state mandating solar on new homes – Orange County Register
"In addition to widespread adoption of solar power, the new provisions include a push to increase battery storage and increase reliance on electricity over natural gas. Among the highlights:
Vote on this is May 9th, expected to pass according to this article, but, I don't know how accurate that is.
- The new solar mandate would apply to all houses, condos and apartment buildings up to three stories tall that obtain building permits after Jan. 1, 2020.
- Exceptions or alternatives will be allowed when homes are shaded by trees or buildings or when the home’s roofs are too small to accommodate solar panels.
- Solar arrays can be smaller because homes won’t have to achieve true net-zero status.
- Builders installing batteries like the Tesla Powerwall would get “compliance credits,” allowing them to further reduce the size of the solar system.
- Provisions will encourage more electric use or even all-electric homes to reduce natural gas consumption. State officials say improved technology is making electric water heaters increasingly cost-effective."
Correct me if my math is wrong, I've had solar for 7 years, my math says it paid for itself last year completely. If you assume 15% return on your money in CA (I got a little better) but you can finance with the purchase of a newly built home at ~4-5%, you're getting paid to buy a home with solar due to interest rate arbitrage. Much easier to build the houses from the start with solar, I do not know if Tesla tile roof math will work but my guess is it's break even minimum.