
Californian Authorities Have Yet to Decide Whether They Will Mandate Solar Panels
California Energy Commission members are expected to cast their votes on these new regulations on Wednesday. If they are passed, the regulations will require most new homes to include solar panels by 2020.
Current records indicate that around 15 percent to 20 percent homes in California already have solar paneling.
In 2007, the state set out to reach a zero net energy standard for all homes by 2020. This means that a house would have to generate as much energy as it used. However, these standards are not yet possible as home energy production methods are unable to produce this kind of energy at an affordable price as of yet.
With the new renewable energy mandate, the state believes most constructions would have the ability to generate anywhere from 80 to 90 percent of the electricity they use on site.
A Brief Glance at the Worldwide Use of Solar Panels
Other regions around the world have put in place similar requirements in order to reduce fossil fuel consumption. Not only did these renewable energy methods help reduce the amount of energy used, but they also helped cut back on the cost of oil and other forms of fuel within the respective regions as well.
As for the United States, California would be the very first to vote this state-wide solar panel installation requirement in the country. Some cities across the nation do have such mandates, but none are statewide.