This should help ease the skyrocketing housing prices in California.....not. At least the homeless can feel good that they live in a more "green" state.



California might become the first state in the U.S. to require new homes to be built with solar panels, which could hike prices for consumers.

The California Energy Commission is expected to vote on the proposal Wednesday. If approved, it would go into effect in 2020 and apply to any homes or buildings up to three stories. Homes in the shade or otherwise unable to be fitted for installation may be exempted.

The requirement would not require homeowners’ solar energy to offset energy consumed completely.

Over the near term, requiring solar installations could increase construction costs per home in the state by as much as $30,000. Over the course of about 25 years – or the average solar panel lifespan – the green-energy products could save owners anywhere from $50,000 to $60,000.

Experts, however, worry that those increased short-term costs could hurt residents’ ability to purchase homes in a state where prices are already heightened. In March, median home prices climbed to an eight-month high of $564,830, up 8.9% from a year earlier, according to the California Association of Realtors. In some counties, such as San Mateo and Santa Clara, the median home price has exceeded $1.4 million.

Even without the latest proposal, home prices across the U.S. are slated to rise this year. The National Association of Realtors and Freddie Mac estimate that median price growth will accelerate by 3.5% in 2018 and in some cases will rise faster than income gains over the coming years. Rising prices are a result of a combination of healthy demand and restricted inventory. As previously reported by FOX Business, a lack of qualified construction workers, regulation and tariffs have led to underbuilding.



https://www.foxbusiness.com/ma...ate-burn-home-buyers

Someone is getting one hell of a kickback.

First off, unless you are a left wing, liberal, progress democrat that is out of touch with reality, why would you want to live in California? Granted, it's a nice state climate wise, but the rest of the state blows, especially the politics of it all.

Don't care for government mandates on what we have to do, it's support for the solar panel industry via government fiat, and not surprising considering the things we saw come out of the Obama era of payback politics.

Since oil and gas prices are not cooperating, and CA can't raise taxes to a level that would move people off fuels for power without hurting industry or lower income residents the only way to move alternative forward is via mandate.

I don't see it hurting CA home sales one bit.

quote:

Originally posted by Cousin Vinnie:
First off, unless you are a left wing, liberal, progress democrat that is out of touch with reality, why would you want to live in California? Granted, it's a nice state climate wise, but the rest of the state blows, especially the politics of it all.

How about because that's where my relatively high paying job is located? Where my wife's job is located? Where my two adult children live in close proximity because it's where their jobs are located? Where my new Granddaughter lives so we can see her grow up? Yes, the politics absolutely blow but it's a tradeoff of financial security and family Vs. crazy left wing politics in Sacramento. Enough logical reasons for you to understand?

My god, I can't believe I'm about to say this, but being a California resident, and one who has solar, this is the first sane thing I've seen California politicians suggest.

We as state won't build new, cheap electrical generating operations, they allow the power companies to run wild with rate hikes and mandate renewable energy that isn't cost effective.

Done right (lolz...right) solar would put the rate increases and power companies in check.

I think its a prudent step

here in Tucson, people are tripping over themselves to install solar...my neighbor up the street just went whole-house - estimated electric bill for the month is now a negative number

You also have to deduct the insurance premium increase in any perceived savings associated with the solar panels. Also need to include additional maintenance/electricians cost. How about any wind/water damage to the roof....bet that's easy to fix with giant solar panels in the way. I know a lot of places don't have to worry about snow loads regarding how the houses are built, but the additional weight from solar panels will necessitate changes and/or additional building codes. I'll bet the 25 year estimate is quite a stretch too. Think it's still only gonna cost an additional $30K? Yeah right.

There is a reason this hasn't taken off across the country. Another way to shake down folks trying to live the American dream by mandating some nonsense that really only benefits those highly invested in solar tech.

I'm not totally against this, but it may be step in the right direction to counter skyrocketing electricity costs in CA. I've had a small 2kW solar system for 10 years and it provides about 30% of my power. Today's systems are much more cost effective AND can provide nearly all power. I don't know who's behind the measure, but the utility companies are anticipating increasing residential solar to play into future power generation.

Also, new home sales still represent a very small percentage of overall homes in existence.

This would lead to decreased revenue for the power companies so they’ll jack rates to compensate. Congrats! You just spent a lot of money to save...none.

quote:

Originally posted by F12517:
My god, I can't believe I'm about to say this, but being a California resident, and one who has solar, this is the first sane thing I've seen California politicians suggest.
We as state won't build new, cheap electrical generating operations, they allow the power companies to run wild with rate hikes and mandate renewable energy that isn't cost effective.
Done right (lolz...right) solar would put the rate increases and power companies in check.

Do you sell "extra" electricity that you produce back to your electricity provider? If so, what are you being charged, base rate, from your provider on the electricity you use from them?

quote:

Originally posted by nhtagmember:
I think its a prudent step

here in Tucson, people are tripping over themselves to install solar...my neighbor up the street just went whole-house - estimated electric bill for the month is now a negative number

Maybe some different views.
- Solyndra went bankrupt, Solar City (now Tesla) is in the red. Is solar power economically viable without massive subsidies?
- Solyndra's manufacturing plant in Milpitas CA was deemed a toxic waste hazard, the byproducts of making solar panels.
- Ivanpah may still be the largest solar power plant in the US, in the Mojave Desert. Their cost of electricity is 50% more than promised, when the sun isn't shining they use gas powered turbines, which emit so much CO2 that Ivanpah had to register as a gross poluter. And, the massive facility, with mirrors, is ruining the local plant and animal life. But other than that, Ivanpah is a good idea.

When I read of this CA issue a day or two ago, my first thought was, which CA politicians, bureaucrats, cronies are going to make $$$$$ on this. And for them to make $$$$$ is the goal, has nothing to do with serving the populace or saving planet earth.

quote:

Originally posted by Russ59:
I'm not totally against this, but it may be step in the right direction to counter skyrocketing electricity costs in CA. I've had a small 2kW solar system for 10 years and it provides about 30% of my power. Today's systems are much more cost effective AND can provide nearly all power. I don't know who's behind the measure, but the utility companies are anticipating increasing residential solar to play into future power generation.

Also, new home sales still represent a very small percentage of overall homes in existence.

I find it amusing when Californians speak of skyrocketing utility rates. My BIL and other family work for IPP (Intermountain Power Project) located in Delta, UT. That coal fired plant was built in the 80’s, and using the anthracite coal from Price, UT, is one of the cleanest coal-fired plants in the world.

For years the plant has been running below capacity. Why? It is majority owned by the city of Los Angeles, and the city resists buying their cheap power, and they resist letting the plant compete on the open market. Your power might be expensive in California, but that’s just how your liberal governments want it. Got to hand it to the climate-alarmist, they’re willing to take a kick in the wallet over coal-fired electricity.

Your California electricity rates would drop overnight if the “green” mandates were relaxed.

quote:

Originally posted by sigcrazy7:

quote:

Originally posted by Russ59:
I'm not totally against this, but it may be step in the right direction to counter skyrocketing electricity costs in CA. I've had a small 2kW solar system for 10 years and it provides about 30% of my power. Today's systems are much more cost effective AND can provide nearly all power. I don't know who's behind the measure, but the utility companies are anticipating increasing residential solar to play into future power generation.

Also, new home sales still represent a very small percentage of overall homes in existence.

I find it amusing when Californians speak of skyrocketing utility rates. My BIL and other family work for IPP (Intermountain Power Project) located in Delta, UT. That coal fired plant was built in the 80’s, and using the anthracite coal from Price, UT, is one of the cleanest coal-fired plants in the world.

For years the plant has been running below capacity. Why? It is majority owned by the city of Los Angeles, and the city resists buying their cheap power, and they resist letting the plant compete on the open market. Your power might be expensive in California, but that’s just how your liberal governments want it. Got to hand it to the climate-alarmist, they’re willing to take a kick in the wallet over coal-fired electricity.

Your California electricity rates would drop overnight if the “green” mandates were relaxed.

Sorry sigcrazy, coal is evil incarnate, coal will destroy not only planet earth, but much of the known universe. Just ask my Berkeley neighbor.

One more point. Once enough people go solar, your base meter cost will climb significantly. Currently the cost of infrastructure is paid in the utility rate. When solar reduces the consumption from the grid, the infracture costs will move to the base meter costs. This reduces the savings from solar long-term after the early adopters loose their free ride.

It’s just like electric vehicles who pay no road use costs by avoiding fuel taxes. Eventually that free loading will also end.

quote:

Originally posted by sigcrazy7:
One more point. Once enough people go solar, your base meter cost will climb significantly. Currently the cost of infrastructure is paid in the utility rate. When solar reduces the consumption from the grid, the infracture costs will move to the base meter costs. This reduces the savings from solar long-term after the early adopters loose their free ride.

It’s just like electric vehicles who pay no road use costs by avoiding fuel taxes. Eventually that free loading will also end.

CA is currently working on a per mile vehicle tax for all cars, in addition to the gas tax, for that very reason, electric cars aren't paying gas tax.

quote:

Originally posted by Scoutmaster:

quote:

Originally posted by sigcrazy7:

quote:

Originally posted by Russ59:
I'm not totally against this, but it may be step in the right direction to counter skyrocketing electricity costs in CA. I've had a small 2kW solar system for 10 years and it provides about 30% of my power. Today's systems are much more cost effective AND can provide nearly all power. I don't know who's behind the measure, but the utility companies are anticipating increasing residential solar to play into future power generation.

Also, new home sales still represent a very small percentage of overall homes in existence.

I find it amusing when Californians speak of skyrocketing utility rates. My BIL and other family work for IPP (Intermountain Power Project) located in Delta, UT. That coal fired plant was built in the 80’s, and using the anthracite coal from Price, UT, is one of the cleanest coal-fired plants in the world.

For years the plant has been running below capacity. Why? It is majority owned by the city of Los Angeles, and the city resists buying their cheap power, and they resist letting the plant compete on the open market. Your power might be expensive in California, but that’s just how your liberal governments want it. Got to hand it to the climate-alarmist, they’re willing to take a kick in the wallet over coal-fired electricity.

Your California electricity rates would drop overnight if the “green” mandates were relaxed.

Sorry sigcrazy, coal is evil incarnate, coal will destroy not only planet earth, but much of the known universe. Just ask my Berkeley neighbor.

Maybe they’re just scared of black things. Black minerals, black rifles, the dark, the population of Oakland, etc.

quote:

Originally posted by Scoutmaster:

CA is currently working on a per mile vehicle tax for all cars, in addition to the gas tax, for that very reason, electric cars aren't paying gas tax.

No doubt you evil gasoline using heathens should be double taxed for not getting in line. LOL

quote:

One more point. Once enough people go solar, your base meter cost will climb significantly. Currently the cost of infrastructure is paid in the utility rate. When solar reduces the consumption from the grid, the infracture costs will move to the base meter costs. This reduces the savings from solar long-term after the early adopters loose their free ride.

This is a lesser known but very valid point. This been happening here in Colorado and the utility companies are fighting the subsides so that there can be more of a parity when it comes to infrastructure costs.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:

quote:

Originally posted by Scoutmaster:

CA is currently working on a per mile vehicle tax for all cars, in addition to the gas tax, for that very reason, electric cars aren't paying gas tax.

No doubt you evil gasoline using heathens should be double taxed for not getting in line. LOL

Didn't someone on the forum mention their friend moved to Denver, drove the Tesla, took something like 16 hours because they had to wait in line to charge their batteries?