Could California Become The First State To Require Solar? Yes.

By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent

What Happened: California could become the first state to mandate all new-build homes be powered by solar energy.

The state’s energy commission (CEC) will vote this week on the proposal, which would require virtually all new-build residences to be outfitted with solar modules.

Reports say around 20% of new builds in California are currently solar-ready.

SolarWakeup’s View: The California Energy Commission could completely revolutionize what it means to go solar if they approve rules later this week that would mandate solar modules be included on all new-build homes three stories or higher.

According to a report in The Independent, a British newspaper, the mandate is part of a push to make all new homes in the state “net-zero,” meaning they produce no emissions and produce the amount of energy they need. The rules also stress a shift away from natural gas and other fossil fuels to renewable-energy-produced electricity.

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As with most things solar, California is moving to the cutting edge, apparently feeling that you can’t do great things piecemeal.

The plan is not without opposition, including from builders who say the additional construction costs would add around $30,000 to your average California house and could put housing out of reach of more lower- and middle-class potential homeowners.

But even the critics conceded that over the life of the system, homeowners would save $60,000, making the addition of a solar array to the home a net profitable addition.

Honestly, I don’t know how I feel about this. As a pro-solar advocate, of course, I think it’s a great idea. It will certainly help a state solar industry that has been a bit buffeted by new time-of-use rates and federal tariffs. And as we all know, as California’s solar market goes, so goes the national market.

On the other hand, affordable housing is a serious issue in California and beyond, and if mandated solar in California does push people out of the housing market, is it worth it?

I’m torn and would love to hear your thoughts on the matter.

More:

California set to become first US state requiring solar panels on new homes

Vote Solar Lends Voice To “100% Clean Energy In California” Coalition

By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent

What Happened: Vote Solar is lending its voice to a coalition of 27 organizations in California that are fighting to move the state to a 100% clean energy future.

Yesterday, one of solar’s most active advocacy groups announced the launching of the organized campaign in support of California Senate Bill (SB) 100.
If SB 100 passes, it would move the renewable energy goalposts again (in a good way), raising the renewable portfolio standards from 60% to 100%.
Besides Vote Solar, the coalition also includes the Union of Concerned Scientists, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Sierra Club and the American Lung Association.

SolarWakeup’s View: See, it’s advocacy like this that makes it imperative for you to attend Vote Solar’s Equinox Party (their spring fundraiser, which takes place tonight).

Vote Solar does the down-and-dirty work of solar advocacy – fighting on a state-by-state level in ways that broader organizations can’t. I mean, keeping on top of all the challenges to the solar industry in all 50 states is a daunting task, and I’m always amazed (and thrilled) by the job that Adam Browning and his team do. Their eyes are everywhere, and if there’s a battle that needs to be fought in almost any state in the union, you’ll hear about it first from Vote Solar.

The coalition it’s involved in this time is working hard to build support for passage of SB 100, which would increase California’s RPS from 60% to 100%, which would be a boon to an already strong solar industry in the state. And broad-based coalitions like this are the way we will win some of the toughest fights ahead of us.

Make no mistake: There are still tough fights ahead, and we all need Vote Solar to continue their incredibly important work.. So throw them a few bucks if you can (and attend their party tonight – I can never make it, snowbound in Cleveland as I am. But from the photos I’ve seen from previous parties, it’s Off. The. Hook.).

(Yann asked me to mention that he is on the host committee of the Equinox and that he personally would appreciate it if you bought tickets and attended the event. So make Yann happy. Buy your tickets here – you won’t be disappointed.)

Don’t let all those smiles fool you – the members of the Vote Solar team are some of the most tenacious solar advocates I’ve ever met. So support them when you can.

More:

California 100% Clean Energy Coalition

Vote Solar

Equinox 2018 Tickets

EnergyWakeup – Danny Kennedy From CALCEF On Cleantech Startup Investing and Innovating Utilities

This episode is sponsored by Conductive Capital, a distributed generation platform with tax efficient capital.

In this episode we speak to Danny Kennedy, managing director of CALCEF (calcef.org) and President of CalCharge. Danny has gone from activist to entrepreneur and now investor, fighting for a clean energy future for many decades.

CALCEF is the fund that is deploying early stage dollars into clean energy startups in a time when working with early stage companies could not be more important. We talk about the most pressing issues in the space and what kind of companies they are looking to fund.

In a partnership, Danny is working with global utilities in a program called Free Electrons (freeelectrons.co) that are looking to fund capital for companies innovating in the electric utility space. The leaders in this fund understand the problems facing their business model and want to work with the next generation of companies to remain competitive.

Don’t miss this episode filled with knowledge about startups, innovation and the market. Danny knows the market and shares his insights with you.

Find the episode on SolarWakeup.com, iTunes, SoundCloud and Stitcher radio. Please subscribe and share with your friends how much EnergyWakeup is helping you!

EnergyWakeup – Episode 5 – EnergyWakeup With Senator Wiener Of CA And Assemblyman Brooks Of NV

This episode is sponsored by NEI Energy Services, an EPC contractor delivering solar projects done right the first time across the East Coast.

In this episode of EnergyWakeup, Bryan and I dig into the type of leadership that needs to happen on the left. Pushing the goal posts on energy policy agenda can be done. We look at two examples and speak with the sponsors of California SB 71, Senator Wiener (CA-11), and Nevada AB 206, Assemblyman Chris Brooks.

Senator Wiener joined the California Senate after being a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. He is the sponsor of SB 71 which would put solar on the roof of every new home and commercial building in California. This is similar to an initiative that he passed in San Francisco. Senator Wiener gives us some insight about politics in California in a Trump World and the possibility of passing the 100% RPS that the California Senate is pushing for and how the oil lobby is trying hard to stop it.

The legislative agenda for Senator Wiener can be found here.

Making news in Nevada is Assemblyman Chris Brooks. Brooks comes from a career in energy and has worked in the solar industry for over 15 years. We talk about the current NEM proceedings and how it may impact his bill, AB 206. AB 206 is an RPS increase to 80% by 2040 with a 50% hurdle by 2030. Assemblyman Brooks also made some news in the interview letting us know that several solar bills will be put forth this session regarding the rooftop solar policies and net metering. With a democratic Assembly and Senate, he does see the need to work with the Governor’s office to solve this and thinks it will be possible with a moderate Governor Sandoval.

In the biggest news, he does make a prediction about the rooftop solar industry in Nevada during the show that everyone will want to hear. Follow the legislation and other solar bills in Nevada’s bill tracker.

Find the episode on SolarWakeup.com, iTunes, SoundCloud and Stitcher radio. Please subscribe and share with your friends how much EnergyWakeup is helping you!