California says new homes must have solar panels, in push to go all-renewable

California just became the first state to require that all new homes be installed with solar panels, a continuation of its ambitious plans to completely wean itself off fossil fuels within two decades. 

All five members of the California Energy Commission voted for the mandate Wednesday morning, which will go into effect on January 1, 2020 for single family or "multi-family" buildings three stories or less. Other, less visible standards were also put in place, like improved window insulation to contain costly, climate-controlled air.

The state — which is itself the world's fifth largest economy — is already well on its way to meeting aggressive renewable energy goals. State law requires California to generate half its power from renewables like wind and solar by 2030Utilities say they'll likely meet this goal 10 years ahead of schedule, in 2020.  Read more...

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