California Free Solar Panel Act

It amends sections 714 1 and 4600 of the california civil code.

California free solar panel act.

California civil code sections 714 and 714 1 california civil code section 801 california civil code section 801 5 california government code section 65850 5 california health and safety code section. Renewable energy is helping to. The california energy commission licenses solar thermal plants above 50 megawatts and promotes solar photovoltaic installation through the renewables portfolio standard with building efficiency standards and as a partner in the california solar initiative. California solar permitting guidebook 44 preface california is a world leader in renewable energy generation.

The solar shade control act was passed by the california state legislature and signed by governor jerry brown in 1978 to give solar collectors access to sunlight. The california energy commission introduced the california solar mandate which requires rooftop solar photovoltaic systems to be equipped on all new homes built on january 1 2020 and beyond. The california solar rights act of 1978 established that it was state policy that any provision of a common interest subdivision that prohibits or restricts the installation of a solar energy system is void and unenforceable. The solar rights act comprises the following california sections of law.

Solar thermal and solar photovoltaic. This progressive ruling is the first of its kind in the us and is leading the nation to a cleaner energy future. Solar energy in california falls into two categories. The law requires all new homes to have solar panels.

Similar to part 2 of the solar rights act above this law protects homeowner s access to sunshine protecting the solar panels from shading caused by trees or other growth on neighbors property. It also adds section 4746 to the civil code. The act prohibits blocking access to solar collectors by trees on an adjacent property and provides criminal penalties for violation. The solar information packet that was created through this process is now called the california solar consumer protection guide in february 2020 the cpuc adopted decision d 20 02 011 which modifies decision d 18 09 044.

Solar and wind power as well as emerging technologies such as biomass and fuel cells are transforming california. Also in 1978 the state passed the california solar shade act. A new california law set to take effect in 2020 is expected to make the price of new homes in the state thousands of dollars more expensive.