Ten Ways Your Community Can Go Solar Toolkit: Part Four

Adopt a Solar Homes policy for new construction

When it comes to reducing pollution and global warming emissions, any rooftop without solar panels is a missed opportunity. Cities can seize that opportunity by requiring that new buildings include solar energy systems. After all, the most cost-effective time to add solar to a home is when the home is being built and the workers are already on the roof. Some state and local governments have adopted policies that require new homes or commercial buildings have solar power, and the idea is spreading rapidly due to its positive impacts.

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This is part one of Environment America Research & Policy Center’s Ten Ways Your Community Can Go Solar Toolkit: Adopt a Solar Homes policy for new construction.

When it comes to reducing pollution and global warming emissions, any rooftop without solar panels is a missed opportunity. Cities can seize that opportunity by requiring that new buildings include solar energy systems. After all, the most cost-effective time to add solar to a home is when the home is being built and the workers are already on the roof. Some state and local governments have adopted policies that require new homes or commercial buildings have solar power, and the idea is spreading rapidly due to its positive impacts.