Environment America launches a 10-state campaign calling for all new homes to be built with solar panels

Media Contacts
Bronte Payne

Josh Chetwynd

Environment America

BOSTON — In January 2020, California became the first state to require all new houses to be built with solar panels. Today, Environment America is launching a first-of-its-kind campaign calling on additional states across the country to set similar standards for solar power on new homes. The coordinated national campaign will advocate for a solar homes requirement in at least ten states: Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Texas. While each state may have slightly different goals, the campaign’s intention is to introduce bills in 10 states in the next two years. 

“For a generation facing the threat of climate change, the new American Dream is not ‘a car in every garage,’ it’s ‘a panel on every roof,’” said Susan Rakov, chair of Environment America’s Clean Energy program. “Power from the sun is a gift from the environment, protecting our health from dirtier power options and giving us a shot at leaving our kids a better world. We have the technology to build every new building in our communities with clean, renewable energy. So let’s do it. ”

Installing solar panels on all new homes from 2020 to 2026 would result in more solar energy capacity than the entire U.S. currently has installed. A solar homes requirement would cut an estimated 161 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2045. That’s the equivalent of taking more than 34 million of today’s cars off of the road. 

Solar panels also create ‘neighbor effects’ — the more people see them, the more they want them. 

“We cannot miss the opportunity to generate the renewable energy that comes with powering every new home with solar,” said Bronte Payne, Environment America’s Go Solar campaign director. “The most efficient time to install solar panels is when the builders are on the roof in the first place. The results lead to healthier communities for years to come.”

The following state affiliates and staff are not only playing key roles promoting 100 percent clean and renewable energy but also working on this specific campaign. They are available for additional information and interviews:

Colorado

Hannah Collazo, (832) 752-7270, [email protected], is the director of Environment Colorado. 

Maryland 

Kate Breimann, (410) 467-0439, [email protected], is the advocate for Environment Maryland. 

Massachusetts

Ben Hellerstein, (617) 747-4368, [email protected], is the director of Environment Massachusetts.

Michigan

Nathan Murphy, (517) 303-8692, [email protected], is the director of Environment Michigan.

Minnesota

Tim Schaefer, (414) 687-7632, [email protected], is the director of Environment Minnesota. 

Nevada

Levi Kalomnick, (831) 421-1330, [email protected], is the director of Environment Nevada.

New Mexico 

John Ammondson, (781) 859-9022, [email protected], is the director of Environment New Mexico.  

North Carolina

Drew Ball, (919) 833-0015, [email protected], is the director of Environment North Carolina. 

Pennsylvania

David Masur, (267) 303-8292, [email protected], is the director of PennEnvironment. 

Texas 

Luke Metzger, (512) 479-0388, [email protected], is the director of Environment Texas. 

###

Environment America is a national network of 29 state environmental groups. Our staff work together for clean air, clean water, clean energy, wildlife and open spaces, and a livable climate. Our members across the United States put grassroots support behind our research and advocacy. Environment America is part of The Public Interest Network, which operates and supports organizations committed to a shared vision of a better world and a strategic approach to getting things done.