Title 24: What You Need To Know About California’s Solar Mandate
Beginning Jan. 1, 2020, California’s Building Energy Efficiency Standards required all newly constructed homes and multifamily buildings of less than three stories to include solar photovoltaic systems.
The 2022 Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24), which went into effect on Jan. 1, 2023, extended California’s solar mandate to all new multifamily buildings of more than three stories and many commercial buildings, and requires builders to allow for the addition of battery storage for these systems.
Who Creates California’s Energy Efficiency Standards?
Since its creation in 1978, the California Energy Commission (CEC) has been responsible for creating the state’s energy policy. Formed in response to the energy crisis of the 1970s, the CEC is charged with:
- Providing safe, reliable sources of energy while reducing energy usage
- Minimizing energy costs
- Decreasing the environmental impact of energy production in the state
As part of this strategy, the CEC is responsible for developing new building standards that increase energy efficiency for newly constructed buildings or those undergoing renovations.
Every three years, the CEC updates the Building Energy Efficiency Standards, known as the Energy Code, and submits these changes to the California Building Standards Commission (CBSC), the agency responsible for developing California’s residential and commercial building codes. Once approved by the CBSC, the changes to the Energy Code become part of the official building code.
The partnership between the CEC and the CBSC has been successful in managing California’s energy consumption. Californians use over 31% less energy than the average American. And, despite its economy growing over 80% since the 1970s, per capita energy usage in California has remained virtually unchanged even as energy usage in the rest of the country has increased significantly.
As California moves toward a 100% clean energy future under the guidance of the CEC, solar energy systems and battery storage will be a huge part of meeting those goals.
Contact TENCO SOLAR at 888-507-6937 to learn how the California solar mandate affects you and how to take advantage of it.
2022 Title 24 Updates
Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, all newly constructed buildings shall have a solar PV system installed. In addition, many new commercial buildings will be required to have a battery storage system and new homes will be encouraged to install a battery storage system.
What types of construction does the Title 24 update apply to?
- Multifamily buildings of more than three stories, including condominiums and apartment buildings.
- Commercial buildings, including offices, financial institutions, hotels, restaurants, medical buildings, clinics, theaters, grocery stores, retail, warehouses, and convention centers.
- Public buildings, including schools, libraries, and civic buildings.
- Existing homes and businesses that undergo substantial upgrades/repairs
What size solar panel system are new buildings required to have?
Solar panel system size for commercial buildings will be based on the power (kW) of a system, not the energy (kWh) that a system could be expected to produce. Through efficiencies in the building, it’s possible to reduce the number of panels required. However, the converse is not true: building efficiency goals cannot be circumvented by providing more PV.
The size of the battery storage system is also prescriptive, and size is based on the calculated PV size.
Multifamily buildings served by utilities that don’t offer virtual net energy metering (VNEM) are exempt from the solar + storage requirement. Buildings of less than 5,000 square feet are exempt from the storage requirement.
Contact TENCO SOLAR at 888-507-6937 today for help determining what size solar system and battery your new commercial building will need.
Who will benefit from the 2022 Title 24 Updates?
Everyone!
- Tenants and owners of both residential and commercial spaces will benefit from lower electric bills and the satisfaction of reducing their carbon footprints.
- Developers and builders will benefit from being able to offer more environmentally friendly housing products.
- A battery storage system can make your home or business more energy independent and ensure you enjoy comfortable and reliable power even when the power grid goes down.
Honest & Simple Solar Solutions
TENCO SOLAR has over 20 years of experience in the industry with comprehensive knowledge of California’s frequently evolving building codes and energy mandates. Our team will help you design a long-lasting, high-performance solar panel system customized to your needs.
Contact TENCO SOLAR at 888-507-6937 today to request your free quote for solar panel installation in southern California.
our process
We Make Switching To Solar Simple
Begin your switch to solar energy by starting with a TENCO SOLAR consultation. Our team will schedule a pre-site inspection to understand your needs and identify solutions helping you save on your energy expenses while reducing your carbon footprint. We make the process simple by completing permitting on your behalf.
Working around your schedule, our team will make a solar panel installation appointment that’s convenient for you. We will professionally install all the necessary equipment for setting your home or commercial business up with solar energy access in one day.
Our team will guide you through the new features and functions of your solar energy equipment in addition to setting you up through Net Energy Metering allowing you to sell your excess energy produced to the grid. We will provide you any service or maintenance solutions you need to enjoy solar connectivity for years to come.