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Solar Panels Required in CA

solar panel
solar panel

Learn a little more...with a link!

Website Article: Ducksters, Earth Science, Solar Power | How does the sun make energy?

Video: PBS LearningMedia, What's Up in the Environment? Solar House | A boy & his dad show how to install solar panels.

Website Article: NASA, Climate Kids, Make Sun S’mores | Harness the energy of the sun to make the best snack ever.

Read the script:

THE GOLDEN STATE IS ABOUT TO BE THE SOLAR STATE. LAWS ARE ON THE WAY TO REQUIRE NEW HOMES IN CALIFORNIA TO INCLUDE SOLAR PANELS. REPORTER KEVIN OLIVER HAS THOSE DETAILS.

[KEVIN] THE GOLDEN STATE IS ONE STEP CLOSER TO BECOMING THE FIRST IN THE COUNTRY TO REQUIRE SOLAR PANELS IN VIRTUALLY ALL NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION.

- ALL NEW SINGLE-FAMILY CONSTRUCTION, WITH A FEW EXCEPTIONS, WILL HAVE TO HAVE A MODEST-SIZED SOLAR SYSTEM ON THE ROOF.

[KEVIN] THE UNANIMOUS VOTE CAME AFTER INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES HEAPED PRAISE ON THE COMMISSION FOR TAKING THE UNPRECEDENTED STEPS.

- IT'S GREAT TO BE ABLE TO GIVE HOME OWNERS NEW HOMES THAT ARE COMFORTABLE, ENERGY-EFFICIENT, AND THEY CAN FEEL GOOD THAT THEY'RE NOT HAVING A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON OUR ENVIRONMENT.

[KEVIN] NEW REGULATIONS, THOUGH, HAVE BEEN CRITICIZED FOR INCREASING THE COST OF NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION AT A TIME WHEN HOME OWNERSHIP HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT IN CALIFORNIA. ONE CRITIC EVEN TOLD THE COMMISSION THE REGULATIONS WOULD LOCK HOME BUILDERS INTO SOLAR POWER WHEN THERE MIGHT BE OTHER WAYS TO MAKE HOMES MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT. COMMISSIONERS SAID THE REGULATIONS COULD ALWAYS EVOLVE WITH NEW TECHNOLOGY.

- WE'RE GETTING VERY FAR DOWN THE PATHWAY OF WHAT'S POSSIBLE. TECHNOLOGY ALWAYS EVOLVES, AND SO WE DO UPDATE IT EVERY THREE YEARS, BECAUSE THERE ARE NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR MORE EFFICIENCY.

[KEVIN] BUT IN THE MEANTIME, MOST HOMES BUILT AFTER 2020 WILL HAVE TO INCLUDE SOLAR ENERGY PANELS.