Bill Would Put PVs on 55 Percent of New Homes

A bill promoting small rooftop solar systems was amended to require that 15 percent of new homes in developments of 25 units or more install photovoltaic systems. The percentage is slated to increase by 10 percent a year until 55 percent of new houses have roofs producing electricity from the sun?s rays. Previously the bill did not set a requisite percentage ( Circuit , May 21, 2004). The bill, SB 1652 by Senator Kevin Murray (D-Los Angeles), will head to the Assembly Appropriations Committee instead of the floor because a new provision in the bill allows local agencies to exempt developments from the PV requirement if it is not feasible?such as if the homes are in a shaded area. Appropriations should hear it in August. Although Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger advocated installing PV systems on half of the new homes in the state, he has yet to back the bill, presumably because the California Building Association opposes it. The builders want voluntary standards, claiming a mandate would increase construction costs ( Circuit , May 7, 2004).

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Bill Would Put PVs on 55 Percent of New Homes

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