California state mandates that all new homes built starting in 2020, are now formally part of the state's building code. This requirement is only for new homes built in California to include solar electric systems. This exciting mandate is the first of its type in the United States. Thus, making California the first state in the nation to mandate … [Read more...]
Electric Bill Increase: Intervention or Utility Bail-Out?
In Fall 2018, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed a measure allowing California utilities, such as PG&E, to bill their customers to pay for future legal settlements stemming from the devastating 2017 California wildfires. This was signed while even larger flames continue to destroy the California landscape. Will this help or cause a electric … [Read more...]
Solar Industry Highlights
As we cruise into 2019, like many industries, we like to review the solar in 2018. 2018 was chalk full of major changes and exciting solar developments, at home and abroad. Let’s review some of the solar industry highlights of the last year. Renewal of the Tax Incentive The federal ITC originally was established in 2005 (The Energy Policy Act) … [Read more...]
Commercial Solar Energy: Understanding The Changes
With the pending changes in California legislation, understanding solar options for commercial solar energy building owners and owners of multi-family homes is important. California’s Building Energy Efficiency Standards are updated approximately every three years. With the next set of standards being rolled out in 2019, and compliance mandates in … [Read more...]
PG&E Cost: Finding A Happy Middle Ground
Recently, Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation that would allow local utilities to charge their customers to offset costs and expenses associated with the 2017, and now 2018, wildfires. Here is more to consider when it comes to future PG&E cost. Like many people, when we first read the reports, we were concerned. If PG&E cost could pass … [Read more...]
Mandatory Solar Panels
The California bill that requires all new builds in California to have mandatory solar panels starting in 2020 is not news. May 2018 is when the news broke and there has been a consistent stream of confusion from customers ever since. What California Bill? California has become the first state in the country to require all new houses to have … [Read more...]
