California Eases Solar Mandate, Approving Community Program Under New Building Code

The California Energy Commission on Feb. 20 approved Sacramento Municipal Utility’s proposal for a community solar program under the state’s new building standards, which took effect on Jan. 1. While the 2019 Energy Code requires a solar photovoltaic system on new homes, the commission noted that community solar was built into the code to provide flexibility in meeting the solar requirement.

In May 2018, the commission adopted building standards requiring most new homes to install rooftop solar starting in 2020, making California the first U.S. state to adopt such a mandate. The policy includes thermal envelope standards to prevent heat transfer across interior and exterior, ventilation requirements to improve indoor air quality, and non-residential lighting requirements.

Resources that supply SMUD’s Neighborhood SolarShares Program will be located in the utility’s service territory. Sources will be new and 20 megawatts or less, and participants will see charges and credits on their bill at a guaranteed net benefit of $10 per kilowatt per year.