#Solar Sacramento Building Energy & Power | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

calsolarinc1 · 2 years ago

Text

What Exactly Is California Solar Mandate For New Buildings?

The New is a building code that says that all new homes must be powered by solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Such a solar mandate requires that all new-build homes have a solar photovoltaic installation. Solar power is required in California: all newly built homes are required to install solar panels. California's Solar-on-New-Homes mandate requires that all new homes be installed with solar PV systems, including single-family homes as well as low-rise and multifamily homes. A map of California's building climate zones; which zone a new home would be built in would affect the size of solar PV systems that would need to be installed as part of the state's new mandate to install solar on all new homes.

What is significant about the California Solar Mandate for New Buildings update is that starting in 2020, every new home built in California will have a solar PV system installed. Last year, the state set a similar requirement for all new homes built in California, requiring them now to include solar panels and batteries. As you have probably heard, California recently became the first state to require that solar PV systems be installed in all new homes. Not only is California one of the best states to power up your home from the sun, thanks to California's abundance of sunlight throughout the year, it recently passed California's Solar Code, a new code requiring that new homes be built with solar energy from the start.

The future for solar power in California is looking brighter than ever thanks to the California Solar Mandate For New Buildings, a recent code that requires new homes to be built with a solar energy system. Through the most recent building code update, California became the first U.S. state to require that all future commercial structures incorporate solar plus energy storage. In 2020, California became the first state to require solar panels on most new home rooftops, marking a major milestone for the residential solar industry, which already has a healthy presence in the state. In 2018, California required new single-family homes and up to three-story multifamily buildings to include solar panels starting in 2020. Solar panels will have to be put on all new and remodeled buildings in California starting in 2020. This is an extension of California's decision to make this a requirement for new residential buildings.

The state energy regulator, the California Energy Commission (CEC), has proposed making the installation of solar panels and battery storage mandatory for the construction and renovation of commercial, government, and residential buildings. Newly built homes are required to install solar panel systems that can generate enough power to meet an estimated yearly energy use for the building. The California Solar Mandate For New Buildings is really a set of requirements that will help you to save money on your energy bills.

If you are planning on building a new home, your builder must include a solar photovoltaic (PV) system as part of an approved plan, and you do not need to worry about complying with this mandate. If you are working to build a new home, or planning on doing so soon, talk with your builder about becoming compliant with the California Solar Energy Mandatory. If you are planning on new construction, Sacramento-based Energy Savings Pros can help you comply with the California Solar Mandate for New Buildings requirements and find the right photovoltaic energy system for your needs and your budget.

California is one of the most energy-efficient states in the country. California's government has mandated that all new buildings must have a photovoltaic system in order to generate enough power to restrict the amount of energy that is used in the building. The California Energy Commission (CEC) requires that new homes and commercial buildings have solar panel systems installed to generate enough power in their homes. So far, they have installed over 32 MW of capacity in over 9.6 million homes.

The California solar mandate for new buildings is a good thing for new home buyers because it helps them to save money on their energy bills. Solar systems on new construction should have the capacity of providing energy for all the needs of the home on an annual basis. The CEC has set a minimum of 10 stage 1 and 10 stage 2 solar panels. The cost of these systems can range from $10, and up to $30.

The CEC unanimously approved a change in the California solar mandate for new buildings which is most likely to come in action in January 2023. The commercial buildings included in this change are high-rise residential projects, hotels, offices, medical offices, clinics, restaurants, retailers, grocery stores, schools, and civic places.

If you want to know about the California solar mandate for new buildings, then please visit our website at www.calsolarinc.com. Thank you for reading this blog. If you have any questions, queries then please put them in the comments section below. We would be happy to help you.

#Title 24 California #California Solar Mandate For New Buildings #California Solar Mandate #California Battery Storage #Renewable Energy Companies in California #California New Construction Solar Mandate #New Construction Solar in California #New Commercial Construction Solar in California #New Construction Solar Design in California #California Multifamily Solar

1 note · View note

clearefficiency · 3 years ago

Text

5 Mistakes That Are Damaging Your Solar Panels

Suppose you’re one of the many homeowners who have decided to go solar; congratulations! You’re one step toward saving money and helping the environment.

However, there are a few things you need to know to keep your solar panels in good shape. Here are five mistakes that could be damaging your solar panels:

Not Keeping Them Clean Solar panels always need to be clean to work efficiently. Dust, dirt, and even bird droppings can reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the panel’s surface. This reduces the panel’s output and means you’ll save less on energy bills. Use a soft cloth or brush in removing debris and clean your panels gently. You can also use a hose to rinse them off, but avoid using high-pressure water streams.

Placing Them in the Shade Solar panels need direct sunlight to work correctly, so placing them in an area that gets plenty of sun throughout the day is essential. If trees or buildings shade your panels, they won’t be able to generate as much power.

Not Checking for Damage Regularly Like every piece of equipment, solar panels can suffer from wear and tear over time. Inspecting your panels regularly for cracks, scratches, or other damage is essential. Failure to do this could result in costly repairs down the road.

Not Using the Right Inverter This is a critical component of any solar panel system. It converts the DC power generated by the panels into AC power that your home’s appliances can use. If you don’t use a suitable inverter for your system, you could damage your panels or reduce their efficiency.

Failing to Monitor Your System Once your panel system is up and running, it’s essential to monitor it regularly to ensure everything is working as it should. Keep an open eye on your energy usage and production. Also, call a professional if you notice anything out of the ordinary.

These simple tips are practical and can keep your solar panels in good condition, allowing you to enjoy all the benefits of solar power.

Have solar problems?

Consult Clear Efficiency for Reliable Solar Services

Do you live in Sacramento and the Surrounding 45-Mile Radius and need quality solar services? Then turn to the experts at Clear Efficiency.

We understand solar panels’ unique challenges and are dedicated to helping our customers save money and energy. We offer a wide range of services, including solar panel cleaning, insulation, windows, doors, and more.

For reliable solar services, you can count on us. Call us today.

The post 5 Mistakes That Are Damaging Your Solar Panels first appeared on Clear Efficiency. Originally published here: https://www.clearefficiency.com/5-mistakes-that-are-damaging-your-solar-panels/

#Clear Efficiency

0 notes

darcyeportfolio · 3 years ago

Text

Sustainability practice of a sports venue

Sustainability refers to “the integrations of environmental health, social equity and economic vitality to create thriving, healthy, diverse and resilient communities for this generation” (Angeles 2021, as cited in Mallen & Traintafyllidis, 2022, p. 2)

Unexpectedly sports venues are the front runners in the rise of sustainability. Sporting venues around the world are now renovating their stadiums and arenas to reduce their carbon footprint, gain more of green legacy and take the next step in innovation (Climate Action 2018).

The sporting venue that has caught my eye in the lead of sustainability innovation was the Golden 1 Centre, home of the Sacramento Kings. They became the first indoor sports arena to achieve the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) platinum certification. “The certifications are given to projects that meet strict standard in energy use, water efficiency, transportation impacts and the materials used in construction” (TNEMEC, 2022, p.1).

The stadium was awarded the worlds greenest entertainment facility in 2017. The $556 million arena is 100 percent solar powered and due to California’s strict water regulations the stadium has achieved using 45 percent less water than what the code requires (Climate Action 2018). There are so many interesting things going on at the Golden 1 Centre such as the real local plant wall gardens that line the outside of the arena and they also have their edible plants that are watered from the irrigation system, from water overspill that is gathered from the roof (TNEMEC, 2022).

When building this arena in 2016 the Sacramento Kings made the decision to move to a new location to “reduce average miles travelled per attendee by 20%, cut overall air emissions by 24% and reduce travel related greenhouse gas emissions per attendee by 36% by 2020” (Arena Digest, as cited in TNEMEC, 2022).

This stadium not only is one of the best sustainable arenas in the world due to what is happening in their arena but after the build they also made sure 95% of construction waste was redirected from landfill and 99% of demolition materials were recycled (Climate Action, 2018).

The collective of people who helped put this stadium together had a thought process that was very innovative in the sustainable ways they can reduce carbon footprint, preserve green legacy and save energy and water.

References

Climate Action. (2018). The 5 most sustainable sports venues in the world. https://www.climateaction.org/news/the-5-most-sustainable-sports-venues-in-the-world

TNEMEC. (2022). Golden 1 centre unrivalled in sustainable design. https://tnemec.com/about/news-press/golden-1-center-unrivaled-sustainable-design/

Mallen, C., & Traintafyllidis. S. (2022). Sustainable sport development. (1st ed). Routledge.

0 notes

girljokes · 3 years ago

Text

hey i started writing again! because im in a creative writing class, but still.

anyway, not that im expecting anyone to read this but any comments and constructive criticisms help. it’s a sci-fi story themed around boxing :) not done but it’s just under 3.5k words

If you asked around, most people would say that Grier Malone has always been quiet. Others would say it started only after he was released from the hospital all those years ago. He used to be a star, on that, everyone would agree. He was passionate about boxing, filling most conversations (if you could get him started) with different strategies boxers used, or how this person was able to beat that person. Boxing is what made him excited. Until a rude awakening during a championship match when he was only twenty-four.

He took a beating that night, but the icing on the cake was a violent hit he took to the front of his right shoulder. Even before it was examined, before he left the ring, hell, before he even hit the ground, we all knew it was career-ending. Some say that if you slow down the video of him falling, you can see the exact moment the excitement left his eyes. From the embarrassment of leaving himself open, to the ruinous injury, we knew, and Grier knew, that he was done.

A few days later, Grier had a press conference where he told us that the hit his shoulder took dislocated it, damaged the rotator cuff, and tore two of the four ligaments that live there.

“It’s going to be a long road to recovery,” he leaned into the mic, his voice was low, smooth, and intense, “But, I will get back into the ring if it’s the last thing I do.”

There was a charity match he was a part of about two years after that. He looked different, less intense - older. We knew that the fight was lost before he even stepped into the ring, and his opponent knew after Grier’s first punch that the fight was already won. Visibly, there wasn’t even half as much power in those fists as there used to be.

During the post fight press conference, Grier’s opponent admitted to going easy on him so he could last until the second round. A lot of people say that after he heard this, he left the ring and never came back. A fan happened to find his gloves in the trash that night after the conference, but by then Grier was gone and no one has seen him since.

Those who have been to Upper Sacramento know it’s a completely different world than Lower Sacramento. There was greenery everywhere, scientists and engineers figured out how to harvest sustainable energy from photosynthesis, which eliminated the eyesore that were solar panels. Gardeners were as esteemed as electricians or engineers for being able to keep all breeds and species of plants healthy enough to provide energy for Upper Sacramento. Buildings with so many stories that the tops disappeared into the sky were crawling with well maintained vines. Window frames evolved from being rectangular to being abstract, organic shapes to provide proper growing area for the plants. The city was filled with public and private parks and gardens.

Around the time that the push for solar energy happened, the roads were also being replaced with an efficient rail system. Most of anything important was within walking distance, of course, but if you needed anything private you could rent a railcar to be disconnected from the rest of the rail to be driven around in. The rented cars still were bound to the city rail system, but many of the elite owned their own luxurious railcars. The expensive railcars could be taken off track, but it was prohibited for them to be driven over any type of greenery.

Urban Upper Sacramento was always buzzing with all sorts of activity: businessmen making deals, students getting work done in one of the hundreds of parks, tourists experiencing the city, families with kids who wanted to see everything. The most popular areas were anywhere where you could spend money and flaunt your wealth. The best restaurants regularly had year long waiting lists, and the high-end shopping centers had minimum spending limits. Though the farther away from the city center you travel the more the city turns into neighborhoods.

The suburban upper city was home to lavish houses, designed by famous architects. For most, it was a pissing contest to see who could have the biggest house with the most efficient energy systems. Landscaping and home design has become a battle, with artists competing with each other to make the most beautiful, complex homes and the rich ready to throw money at whatever will make them look richer. The most expensive homes had hydroponic gardens surrounding the house, with manmade mini-rivers and stone walkways that felt like their own nature trails.

All these features paled in comparison to what the health sector was like; citizens lucky enough to afford to live in Upper Sacramento had access to the leading medical care in the world. From world renowned exercise and nutrition specialists, to surgeons that know how to grow organs that are so close to your own that there is no need for anti-rejection medication anymore.

The richest of the rich regularly lived into their one hundred twenties or thirties. There’s a rumor that floats around on occasion that Rumi Kapur, who was once heavyweight champion of the world for fifteen consecutive years, is still alive. A lot of people deny this, because that would make him one hundred fifty-two years old now.

Lower Sacramento is the antithesis to Upper. A lot of it is maintained by the people who live there. And to their credit, the gardens are nice and most of the buildings aren’t in shambles, but it lacks the extravagant housing and consumer district.

The biggest draw of Lower Sacramento is a handful of gyms that famous fighters came from. Powerline Athletics, most notably, where many famous fighters like Rumi Kapur and Grier Malone were bred.

As popularity for boxing died down, so did tourist visits to the gym. You can’t fault people for not caring, it’s more fun to focus on the coolest new thing that comes along. Since the fall of tourism, the gym has lost a lot of its profits. The handful of people that still have a membership are the only ones keeping it’s head barely above water. Even then, after overhead costs, the rest of the money goes to paying Powerline’s only remaining trainer.

A file folder sat neatly on a desk in a poorly lit office that’s nestled behind the front desk of Powerline Athletics. Grier thumbed through the pages, a new client was looking to start their fitness journey. Confusingly, Grier read their stats. They were six feet two inches, two hundred three pounds, and had a body fat percentage of eleven. Put simply, this person was already very fit, no need for a trainer. Nonetheless, money’s money, and Grier needed it.

They were already waiting in the gym when Grier stepped out to introduce himself, his client sitting patiently in the middle of a boxing ring that sat in the center of the gym. Grier stepped between the ropes, as he had a million times before, and extended his right hand.

“Hello, I’m G-” He was cut abruptly by a very excited shake and let out a small wince.

“Grier Malone!” said his client, “I know who you are, I’m a big fan. Elliot Reinor, I’ve watched you fight since I was five years old.”

Grier was taken aback, it was rare now, people who remembered his boxing career. It was almost twenty years ago now, and Grier’s face showed it. Grier was a handsome man, his jawline was perfectly symmetrical, and his deep sepia skin didn’t have a blemish on it. Everyone’s favorite feature of his though, was a pair of striking grey eyes. The intensity of his eyes flashing during one of his fights was enough to make his fans faint.

Over time, the intensity that he was known for faded, and his hair started sprouting a few greys here and there. They were barely noticeable when his hair was twisted and tied back, which is usually how he kept it.

Grier pulled a chair from the corner of the ring and sat with Elliot, first sessions were more interviews than actually exercising.

“What are you hoping to get out of training with me?” is always Grier’s first question. Usually the answers are “fat loss” or “building muscle,” which are both easy enough for Grier to plan for.

“I want to be a better fighter, and I want you to train me.” Was something he never heard, but Elliot said it so easily, you’d think that it’s a normal request.

“Go somewhere else.” Grier got up and tossed his chair back in the corner.

“I think I can do it, though! I just need someone who knows what they’re doing.” Elliot followed behind him.

“I don’t do that anymore, and I haven’t for a very long time.” Grier tossed Elliot’s file in the trash, in front of him.

“I’m not asking you to fight again, I want you to teach me.” Elliot begged, “I’ve tried every other trainer in Lower Sacramento, none of them want me either.”

Grier walked back into the office, and stood in the doorway, he had about two inches on Elliot, but he didn’t seem too intimidated.

“Did you think that there’s maybe a reason for that?” said Grier. Elliot tried to speak again, but Grier slammed the door and locked the office.

Sitting at the desk was someone else now, Powerlines owner and operator, (and one of Grier’s only friends), Harvey Wayne.

“Have you thought about being nice, maybe?” His feet were propped on the desk, his face always had a look of smugness on it, whether he meant it or not.

“I am nice, he was annoying.” Grier sat on the desk, pretending to look through more papers.

Of all the people in Grier’s life, Harvey has been the most supportive. The pair had known each other since middle school, when Grier managed to one-hit KO a bully that had been bothering Harvey. While Grier was devilishly handsome and muscular, Harvey was the opposite. His own mother once described him as an “acquired taste.” He had a pair of metal rectangular glasses that he never takes off, and chestnut brown hair that fell down in waves. He was quite pale, which made sense, considering he spent most of his time in the Powerline office, under a stack of bills. He was nowhere near as toned as Harvey, but he was muscular. There was just evidence that he liked to eat as much as he liked to lift. His stubble had hints of grey growing in it, evidence of having two teenage children.

Harvey inherited Powerline from his father, who gave Grier a free membership as long as he kept Powerline as his main sponsor when he made it big. Grier made good use of the gym, it’s where his first amatuer boxing match was.

When Grier was signed as a professional boxer, he was only seventeen. He agreed to sign in the middleweight class, where he easily dominated for years. His favorite strategy was pummeling his opponents with a barrage of quick, sharp jabs. They would be too occupied with defending that they wouldn’t be able to get more than a handful of swings in. And when they finally had enough of a break to go for a hit, they’d be too focused to keep their guard up. When this happened, Grier would strike his most powerful blow. Tougher opponents were able to last until the third or fourth round, but others would fall in the first thirty seconds of the second round, if they made it that far.

It wasn’t until he was twenty-three when he was finally deemed heavy enough to join the heavyweight class. His middleweight strategy didn’t work as well on his heavyweight opponents. Grier learned very quickly during preseason scrimmages that the heavyweights could take way more hits than the middleweights. When the stats were released at the beginning of his heavyweight season, he was no one’s favorite. He was the lightest, youngest heavyweight of the season.

During his first ranked match, his strategy had changed. It was there that his haters, turned fans, saw that he was always calculating his next move, taking in as much information as he could. By the end of his first match, Grier was a force to be reckoned with. He went onto be undefeated for the rest of the season, until the championship match.

He was facing Roy Rogers, who was only crowned champion for the first time the year before. He was intent on defending his title, which he did. Roy was responsible for ending Grier’s career in one hit, something that he will never get over.

“Hello? Anyone home?” Harvey was beating lightly on Grier;s arm; they were sitting at the counter of The Kickback, the favorite bar in Lower Sacramento. Grier was reminiscing about his final fight, as he was prone to do. He was determined to be like Rumi Kapur, who was a personal hero of his. They were the same in the sense that they both grew up in Lower Sacramento, in single parent homes. If Rumi could be the world’s greatest boxer after crawling out of these slums, so could Grier.

“Yeah. I’m listening, keep talking.” Grier threw back the drink he was nursing.

“You weren’t, so I’ll start over.” Harvey bit back, “Iris’ parents want her to move back in with them, and she wants to take the kids with her. I know it’s the right thing for them, but Upper Sacramento is so far away, I don’t know how much I’ll see them.”

Grier nodded along. Iris was Harvey’s recent ex-wife, though she and Grier never got along. Mainly for the reason that Iris is of the belief that boxing should die out fully, it’s a “stupid, dangerous sport.” And she really hated the fact that her sons loved to watch Grier’s old tapes when they were younger.

“Just split custody.” Grier took another drink from the bartender. Harvey shook his head.

“It’s not that easy, I don’t think they’re going to want to travel back and forth between mine and her’s.” Harvey twirled the remainder of his drink, “Plus once they see how nice it is to live in the upper city, I doubt they’ll ever want to come back. Maybe if you promise to teach them some moves I can bribe them to visit.”

Grier scoffed, he didn’t want anything to do with boxing, and his sons have been begging for a crash course since they were ten years old, “I don’t do that shit anymore, you know that.”

Harvey grimaced. Grier still loved boxing, this he knew, but Grier never let on that he still keeps up with the sport. Harvey only figured it out a few years ago when he saw Grier watching old matches, “I think you would’ve made a damn fine coach, not everything is about being in the ring.”

“You don’t understand,” Grier started. Harvey was mentally preparing for Grier’s incoming tirade, “It’s not just about the fight, when you’re in that ring it’s like nothing else matters. It’s one of the best feelings in the world. Just you, your fists, and the guy across from you. I’d give anything to experience it for myself just one more time. I know it’s impossible though, at least for me. No one watches boxing anymore, and it’s not like I can afford whatever special surgery exists to make my shoulder good as new.” Grier tossed some money on the counter and got up. Harvey was generally good at not irritating Grier, but mistakes happen once in a while.

Grier wandered down the street for a bit, between Harvey at the bar and the client earlier, he was in a mood and needed an outlet. His feet led him back to Powerline. The doors were locked for the night, but Harvey made the mistake of trusting Grier with a key.

He let himself in and flicked on the light that illuminated the back corner of the gym. It was the only area with a punching bag and Grier made his way over, flexing his hands over and over. He stood in front of his target and wound his left arm back. He landed a solid punch in the center of the bag and it swung lazy from the chain it was hanging from. He jabbed it light with his right hand. Letting his muscle memory take over, he punched out his frustrations. Though it felt good to hit something again, the rush wasn’t the same without anything swinging back at him.

Grier cocked back his right arm and put the full force of his weight behind this punch. When his fist made contact with with the bag, he shouted in pain and recoiled immediately. The shock from the bag shot back up his arm and shook up to his shoulder. It was a shame that it was his right shoulder that was injured, it was his dominant side and usually his right hook was his match winning move.

The bag swung back and forth. Grier’s blows were still powerful, but they hurt him as much as they hurt his opponent. He stared at the bag. Grier wasn’t angry anymore, but he definitely didn’t feel any better. He let the bag continue swinging as he headed towards the door, though he stopped when his eyes met another pair standing not too far from him.

“May I… help you?” Grier spoke slowly, “I don’t have any money on me, or anything valuable.” Being mugged was a regular occurrence in Lower Sacramento, though Grier looked intimidating enough that people typically didn’t target him.

“I’m not here to rob you, actually,” The other person said, they stepped a bit closer and Grier was able to get a good look.

It was a woman who stood in front of him, and she was quite beautiful as well. Her fair complexion didn’t have a blemish on it, and her face was perfectly symmetrical, framed with wavy, auburn hair. She wore red lipstick, which only increased the contrast between her pale face and deep grey eyes. She was very tall, and equally slim. The slacks of her navy pantsuit stuck out from under her beige peacoat.

“I overheard your conversation with your friend over at Kickback, and I wanted to talk to you. You walk fast when you’re angry.”

“Talk to me about what? Who are you?” Grier was still defensive, this woman was dressed too nice to be local. She let out a sweet chuckle, her voice had a calming effect, which only made Grier more anxious.

“Gaia Merrill. I have an offer for you, if you ever want to get back in the game.” She tossed a business card to Grier and left. The only sound was the clicking of her heels as she exited the gym.

The card was well made, it was a thin piece of aluminum with Gaia’s name etched on one side with the title “Assistant Director” under it. On the other side was a screen that lit up when he flipped it over. There was a slideshow of words.

Do you suffer from chronic pain?

Do you want to feel young again?

Do you want to help people? If you answered yes to any of these questions, please call us at 916-639-5433.

Confused and on edge, Grier stuck the card in his pocket and locked the gym back up. He went home wondering if Gaia meant she could fix his shoulder. He’d bring it up to Harvey tomorrow, for now he needed to ice his shoulder and get some sleep.

Grier’s apartment was more of a place for him to sleep, rather than actually live. The walls were bare except for one hanging photo of him and his father, whose arm hung proudly around Grier’s shoulders. The photo was old, but it was the last one they had together. Under the photo was a small tv, it’s only use was background noise that Grier used to sleep at night.

The apartment itself was a studio, so the kitchen and living room were practically the same space. There was a door next to the tv that led to the bathroom, which was the only separate room in the place, unless you counted the closet that was right next to the entrance. The entire studio was one color. What used to be a lively, calming blue was now a drab grey. The property manager didn’t care to repaint, and Grier preferred his walls like this anyway.

He unfolded his only other piece of furniture, a pull-out couch, unraveled a blanket that’s really only been folded once in its lifetime.

#writing #long post #i'm so rusty #this is just a first draft and the professor wants us to do a second #so im using this one to get to the end of the story #and i'll add the real meat later

0 notes

rcenergysolutions · 3 years ago

Text

New California Commercial Solar Mandates

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/11/business/energy-environment/california-solar-mandates.html?smid=url-share

California Panel Backs Solar Mandate for New Buildings

A state agency voted to require many new commercial structures, along with high-rise residential projects, to have solar power and battery storage.

Workers installing solar panels on the roof of Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles in 2019.Credit…Richard Vogel/Associated Press

By Ivan Penn

Published Aug. 11, 2021Updated Sept. 8, 2021

LOS ANGELES — California regulators voted Wednesday to require builders to include solar power and battery storage in many new commercial structures as well as high-rise residential projects. It is the latest initiative in the state’s vigorous efforts to hasten a transition from fossil fuels to alternative energy sources.

The five-member California Energy Commission approved the proposal unanimously. It will now be taken up by the state’s Building Standards Commission, which is expected to include it in an overall revision of the building code in December.

The energy plan, which would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2023, also calls for new homes to be wired in ways that ease and even encourage conversion of natural-gas heating and appliances to electric sources.

“The future we’re trying to build together is a future beyond fossil fuels,” David Hochschild, the chair of the Energy Commission, said ahead of the agency’s vote. “Big changes require everyone to play a role. We all have a role in building this future.”

The commercial buildings that would be affected by the plan include hotels, offices, medical offices and clinics, retail and grocery stores, restaurants, schools, and civic spaces like theaters, auditoriums and convention centers.

The provisions would supplement requirements that took effect last year mandating that new single-family homes and multifamily dwellings up to three stories high include solar power.

Homes and businesses use nearly 70 percent of California’s electricity and are responsible for a quarter of its greenhouse gas emissions, according to the commission. It said the proposals approved Wednesday would reduce emissions over 30 years as much as if nearly 2.2 million cars were taken off the road for a year.

Any increase in construction costs is expected to be minimal, the Energy Commission said. Adding solar power and storage during construction is considered more cost-effective than retrofitting.

Lindsay Buckley, a spokeswoman for the Energy Commission, said that “while there is no guarantee” that the Building Standards Commission will adopt the plan, it had never rejected such a proposal after approval by the energy panel.

Many California cities have building codes that restrict or ban natural gas in new construction — 49 municipalities in all, according to the Sierra Club — but the changes advanced on Wednesday would greatly extend the push away from fossil fuels.

Along with consumers and environmental groups, representatives of electric companies including Southern California Edison, one of the state’s investor-owned utilities, and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District spoke in support of the changes.

The commission heard some opposition during its development of the plan, in particular from Southern California Gas, which provides much of the natural gas to residential, commercial and industrial customers in Southern California, Mr. Hochschild said.

The California Building Industry Association took a neutral position, though some utility union members cautioned against any ban on natural gas, arguing that it could increase customer bills and hurt jobs.

“Instead of a reckless push for building electrification, has the commission considered advocating for an appliance replacement program?” Carlos Portillo, a member of the Utility Workers Union of America, wrote to the panel.

The head of the organization that represents the state’s solar power and battery companies said that while she felt the code change was needed, policies under review by other state regulators could undermine the benefits.

The official, Bernadette Del Chiaro, the executive director of the California Solar and Storage Association, said that while utilities had praised the commission’s plan, they had proposed to reduce the benefits that homeowners and businesses receive for excess electricity they produce and send to the grid.

Owners of rooftop solar energy systems receive compensation equivalent to the retail cost of electricity, an arrangement that utility companies argue is unfair to those without such systems. The California Public Utilities Commission, which oversees investor-owned utilities, is considering a modification to the arrangement, known as net energy metering, in future solar installations.

A significant change could reduce or eliminate the savings that solar power and storage provide to residential and business customers. “Net metering is the one opportunity for the little guy to get relief, and they want to put the kibosh on it,” Ms. Del Chiaro said.

Californians have felt an urgency to move away from using fossil fuels as climate change has brought extreme weather, which has contributed to some of the state’s most devastating wildfires. And beyond reducing carbon emissions, solar power has been embraced as a way to cope with blackouts.

Investor-owned utilities have cut power for as long as a week to prevent electrical equipment from starting fires. So consumers have increasingly sought solar panels and battery storage as secondary energy sources.

During public comments to the Energy Commission on Wednesday, speakers urged regulators to help ensure the safety of the state’s residents in the face of all of the devastation.

“We can hear the passion and just the urgency and the emotion beyond what’s motivating people to get behind this,” Commissioner Andrew McAllister said. “California is being forced to lead even more than ever before.”

The last big change in the energy provisions of the state’s building code — the requirement for new single-family homes to be equipped with solar power — was approved in 2018. The rules took effect on Jan. 1, 2020. The impact so far has been limited, since builders who already had permits could operate under the previous standards, and the coronavirus pandemic disrupted work and the issuing of permits.

The post New California Commercial Solar Mandates appeared first on RC Energy Solutions.

from RC Energy Solutions https://ift.tt/2XpxUW8

from WordPress https://rcenergysolutions11.wordpress.com/2021/09/15/new-california-commercial-solar-mandates/

#Uncategorized #IFTTT #RC Energy Solutions

0 notes

legacyexpress · 5 months ago

Text

Sacramento Solar Company: A Leading Force Among Sacramento Solar Companies

As sustainability becomes a critical focus for cities across the United States, Sacramento is stepping up with its commitment to renewable energy. At the heart of this movement is the Sacramento Solar Company, a standout choice among Sacramento solar companies. With a reputation for quality and reliability, Sacramento Solar Company is transforming the energy landscape for homeowners and businesses alike.

Why Sacramento Solar Company Excels

Among Sacramento solar companies, Sacramento Solar Company distinguishes itself through its comprehensive service offerings and commitment to excellence. The company specializes in providing tailored solar solutions that cater to the unique needs of each client. Whether you are considering residential solar panels or large-scale commercial installations, Sacramento Solar Company delivers customized designs that maximize energy efficiency and cost savings.

One of the key reasons Sacramento Solar Company stands out is its focus on using high-quality solar products. The company partners with leading manufacturers to ensure that all solar panels and equipment meet rigorous standards of performance and durability. This commitment to top-tier products ensures that clients receive reliable, long-lasting solar solutions that contribute to significant savings on energy bills.

Advantages of Choosing Solar with Sacramento Solar Company

Sacramento’s abundant sunshine makes it an ideal location for solar energy, and Sacramento Solar Company is perfectly positioned to leverage this natural resource. With an average of over 270 sunny days annually, Sacramento provides an excellent environment for solar power generation. By investing in solar panels from Sacramento Solar Company, residents and businesses can significantly reduce their reliance on traditional energy sources, leading to lower utility costs and a reduced environmental impact.

Opting for solar energy through Sacramento Solar Company also supports broader environmental goals. The shift to clean, renewable energy helps decrease greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to a more sustainable and eco-friendly community. As Sacramento continues to grow, embracing solar energy is a crucial step towards building a greener future.

Customer Satisfaction and Support

Customer service is a cornerstone of Sacramento Solar Company’s success. From the initial consultation to the final installation, their team ensures a seamless and transparent process. The company’s experienced professionals are always available to answer questions, address concerns, and provide ongoing support. This commitment to exceptional customer service has helped Sacramento Solar Company earn a strong reputation among Sacramento solar companies.

Conclusion

In the growing field of solar energy, Sacramento Solar Company remains a leader among Sacramento solar companies. With its focus on quality, customized solutions, and outstanding customer service, the company offers a compelling choice for anyone looking to invest in solar power. By choosing Sacramento Solar Company, you’re not only making a smart financial decision but also contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable future for Sacramento and beyond.

0 notes

f4rmville · 4 years ago

Text

Installing solar panels over California’s canals could yield water, land, air and climate payoffs

By Roger Bales, University of California, Merced and Brandi McKuin, University of California, Santa Cruz

Climate change and water scarcity are front and center in the western U.S. The region’s climate is warming, a severe multi-year drought is underway and groundwater supplies are being overpumped in many locations.

Western states are pursuing many strategies to adapt to these stresses and prepare for the future. These include measures to promote renewable energy development, conserve water, and manage natural and working lands more sustainably.

As engineers working on climate-smart solutions, we’ve found an easy win-win for both water and climate in California with what we call the “solar canal solution.” About 4,000 miles of canals transport water to some 35 million Californians and 5.7 million acres of farmland across the state. Covering these canals with solar panels would reduce evaporation of precious water – one of California’s most critical resources – and help meet the state’s renewable energy goals, while also saving money.

Conserving water and land

California is prone to drought, and water is a constant concern. Now, the changing climate is bringing hotter, drier weather.

Severe droughts over the past 10 to 30 years dried up wells, caused officials to implement water restrictions and fueled massive wildfires. As of mid-April 2021, the entire state was officially experiencing drought conditions.

At the same time, California has ambitious conservation goals. The state has a mandate to reduce groundwater pumping while maintaining reliable supplies to farms, cities, wildlife and ecosystems. As part of a broad climate change initiative, in October 2020 Gov. Gavin Newsom directed the California Natural Resources Agency to spearhead efforts to conserve 30% of land and coastal waters by 2030.

Most of California’s rain and snow falls north of Sacramento during the winter, while 80% of its water use occurs in Southern California, mostly in summer. That’s why canals snake across the state – it’s the largest such system in the world. We estimate that about 1%-2% of the water they carry is lost to evaporation under the hot California sun.

In a recent study, we showed that covering all 4,000 miles of California’s canals with solar panels would save more than 65 billion gallons of water annually by reducing evaporation. That’s enough to irrigate 50,000 acres of farmland or meet the residential water needs of more than 2 million people. By concentrating solar installations on land that is already being used, instead of building them on undeveloped land, this approach would help California meet its sustainable management goals for both water and land resources.

Climate-friendly power

Shading California’s canals with solar panels would generate substantial amounts of electricity. Our estimates show that it could provide some 13 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity, which is about half of the new sources the state needs to add to meet its clean electricity goals: 60% from carbon-free sources by 2030 and 100% renewable by 2045.

Installing solar panels over the canals makes both systems more efficient. The solar panels would reduce evaporation from the canals, especially during hot California summers. And because water heats up more slowly than land, the canal water flowing beneath the panels could cool them by 10 degrees F, boosting production of electricity by up to 3%.

These panels could also generate electricity locally in many parts of California, lowering both transmission losses and costs for consumers. Combining solar power with battery storage can help build microgrids in rural areas and underserved communities, making the power system more efficient and resilient. This would mitigate the risk of power losses due to extreme weather, human error and wildfires.

We estimate that the cost to span canals with solar panels is higher than building ground-mounted systems. But when we added in some of the co-benefits, such as avoided land costs, water savings, aquatic weed mitigation and enhanced PV efficiency, we found that solar canals were a better investment and provided electricity that cost less over the life of the solar installations.

Solar panels installed over canals increase the efficiency of both systems. Brandi McKuin, CC BY-ND

Benefits to the land

Solar canals are about much more than just generating renewable energy and saving water. Building these long, thin solar arrays could prevent more than 80,000 acres of farmland or natural habitat from being converted for solar farms.

California grows food for an ever-increasing global population and produces more than 50% of the fruits, nuts and vegetables that U.S. consumers eat. However, up to 50% of new renewable energy capacity to meet decarbonization goals could be sited in agricultural areas, including large swaths of prime farmland.

Solar canal installations will also protect wildlife, ecosystems and culturally important land. Large-scale solar developments can result in habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation, which can harm threatened species such as the Mojave Desert tortoise.

They also can harm desert scrub plant communities, including plants that are culturally important to indigenous tribes. As an example, construction of the Genesis Solar Energy Center in the Sonoran and Mojave deserts in 2012-2014 destroyed trails and burial sites and damaged important cultural artifacts, spurring protracted legal conflict.

Clearing the air

By generating clean electricity, solar canals can improve air quality – a serious problem in central California, which has some of the dirtiest air in the U.S. Solar electricity could help retire particulate-spewing diesel engines that pump water through California’s agricultural valleys. It also could help charge growing numbers of electric light- and heavy-duty vehicles that move people and goods around the state.

Yet another benefit would be curbing aquatic weeds that choke canals. In India, where developers have been building solar canals since 2014, shade from the panels limits growth of weeds that block drains and restrict water flow.

Fighting these weeds with herbicide and mechanical equipment is expensive, and herbicides threaten human health and the environment. For large, 100-foot-wide canals in California, we estimate that shading canals would save about US$40,000 per mile. Statewide, savings could reach $69 million per year.

Artist rendering of a solar canal system for California. Solar Aquagrid LLC, CC BY-ND

Bringing solar canals to California

While India has built solar arrays over canals and the U.S. is developing floating solar projects, California lacks prototypes to study locally.

Discussions are underway for both large and small demonstration projects in the Central Valley and Southern California. Building prototypes would help operators, developers and regulators refine designs, assess environmental impacts, measure project costs and benefits, and evaluate how these systems perform. With more data, planners can map out strategies for extending solar canals statewide, and potentially across the West.

It will take a dozen or more partners to plan, fund and carry out a solar canal project in California. Public-private partnerships will likely include federal, state and local government agencies, project developers and university researchers.

California’s aging power infrastructure has contributed to catastrophic wildfires and multi-day outages. Building smart solar developments on canals and other disturbed land can make power and water infrastructure more resilient while saving water, reducing costs and helping to fight climate change. We believe it’s a model that should be considered across the country – and the planet.

About the Authors

Roger Bales is a Distinguished Professor of Engineering, University of California, Merced. Brandi McKuin is a Postdoctoral Researcher in Environmental Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

from https://ift.tt/3aYwjuz

0 notes

solarliving · 4 years ago

Text

Installing solar panels over California’s canals could yield water, land, air and climate payoffs

By Roger Bales, University of California, Merced and Brandi McKuin, University of California, Santa Cruz

Conserving water and land

California is prone to drought, and water is a constant concern. Now, the changing climate is bringing hotter, drier weather.

Climate-friendly power

Solar panels installed over canals increase the efficiency of both systems. Brandi McKuin, CC BY-ND

Benefits to the land

Clearing the air

Artist rendering of a solar canal system for California. Solar Aquagrid LLC, CC BY-ND

Bringing solar canals to California

While India has built solar arrays over canals and the U.S. is developing floating solar projects, California lacks prototypes to study locally.

About the Authors

Roger Bales is a Distinguished Professor of Engineering, University of California, Merced. Brandi McKuin is a Postdoctoral Researcher in Environmental Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

from Renewable Energy World https://ift.tt/3aYwjuz via Solar Energy Marketing Blog

#Renewable Energy World #Solar Energy #Digital Marketing #Renewable Energy

0 notes

brewedsunlight · 4 years ago

Text

Installing solar panels over California’s canals could yield water, land, air and climate payoffs

By Roger Bales, University of California, Merced and Brandi McKuin, University of California, Santa Cruz

Conserving water and land

California is prone to drought, and water is a constant concern. Now, the changing climate is bringing hotter, drier weather.

Climate-friendly power

Solar panels installed over canals increase the efficiency of both systems. Brandi McKuin, CC BY-ND

Benefits to the land

Clearing the air

Artist rendering of a solar canal system for California. Solar Aquagrid LLC, CC BY-ND

Bringing solar canals to California

While India has built solar arrays over canals and the U.S. is developing floating solar projects, California lacks prototypes to study locally.

About the Authors

Roger Bales is a Distinguished Professor of Engineering, University of California, Merced. Brandi McKuin is a Postdoctoral Researcher in Environmental Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

from Renewable Energy World https://ift.tt/3aYwjuz

#Renewable Energy World

0 notes