UPDATE (May 9, 2018): The California Energy Commission unanimously voted in favor of a measure that would require solar panels on all new homes built after 2020.
The 2019 Building Energy Efficiency Standards passed Wednesday morning thanks to a 5-0 commission vote.
Energy commission passes solar vote unanimously. One step closer to all new SF homes and 3-story or less multifamily after 2020 required to have solar panels on rooftops.
— Jonathan Horn (@10NewsHorn) May 9, 2018
With the approval, California becomes the first state in the nation with a solar panel requirement.
Read our original report:
SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - New figures out Monday show how much a proposed California solar panel mandate could cost home buyers.
According to the California Energy Commission, the mandate would add $9,500 to the price of the home.
Split up over the life of the mortgage, the mandate would add roughly $40 a month to a mortgage payment.
The commission added that the solar panels could save $80 a month in electricity. The commission is set to adopt the new building energy standards that, in part, require all new homes constructed to include solar panels.
The mandate affects all single-family and low-profile homes, condos and apartments that obtain building permits after January 1, 2020.
If approved, the standards will also include updates to ventilation, nonresidential lighting and heat transfer standards.
Under the standards, build credits would be offered for installing batteries. Exceptions could also be made for homes shaded by trees or with roofs too small for the panels.
