California to Mandate Solar Panels on All New Construction Homes Starting in 2020

The California Energy Commission approved a plan, in a 5-0 vote, requiring all newly constructed homes to have rooftop solar, going into effect in 2020. The recommended energy efficiency standards will be added to building regulations and requirements at some point this year. This mandate makes California the first state in the United States to require new construction homes to have solar panels, increasing its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

CPUC Approves Peak Period Shifts for SDG&E TOU Rates

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has approved peak period shifts for San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), which officially went into effect on December 1, 2017. The changes include a major shift of the time-of-use (TOU) periods, moving the midday summer “on-peak” window from 11am to 6pm, out to 4pm – 9pm. SDG&E becomes the first investor owned utility (IOU) in California to implement these radical changes, as part of their General Rate Case (GRC) filing. Both Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), and Southern California Edison (SCE) are looking to follow suit in their pending GRC filings.