(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-PLMSBWP');     (function(a,b,c,d){     a='//tags.tiqcdn.com/utag/thunder/goldenstate/prod/utag.js';     b=document;c='script';d=b.createElement(c);d.src=a;d.type='text/java'+c;d.async=true;     a=b.getElementsByTagName(c)[0];a.parentNode.insertBefore(d,a);     })();
(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.9&appId=172847629912656"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));

Next Year California Will Be the First State to Mandate Solar Power for New Homes

The effort is part of the state’s push to wean off fossil fuels and combat climate change.

Starting in 2020, California will require all new homes have some sort of power draw from solar energy. With housing affordability an ongoing issue in the Golden State, the new rule will increase home costs by about $9,500. However, the solar installation is estimated to yield a net savings of $19,000 over 30 years.

According to Bloomberg Businessweek, “California already leads the U.S. in home solar panels. Solar makes up about one-seventh of its electricity supply, and that’s expected to grow for the state to meet its goal of 100% carbon-free power by 2045. Others may follow: Massachusetts is weighing a similar mandate, as is Maryland’s Montgomery County. “California has provided the template for a lot of U.S. clean energy policy,” says Hugh Bromley, an analyst for BloombergNEF.”

You can read more about the upcoming solar boom here.

More Stories
Artisans, Makers + Entrepreneurs

Experience a Bespoke Session with Dana Point Surfboard Shaper Gary Larson

Laguna Beach’s Legendary Hobie Surf Shop pairs you with one of the best in the business.

Experiences, Hidden Gems, Makers + Entrepreneurs, Outdoor Adventure, Sights + Stays, Sustainability, Tours

A $3.5 Million Project Aims to Preserve the Grove of Titans in NorCal

Improvements include installing a 1,300-foot elevated walkway for visitors.

Farm + Table

Have a Beer with Natalie Cilurzo of Russian River Brewing Company

The creator of Pliny the Younger shares what she loves most about California living.