Californians can’t catch a break when it comes to housing. Listen, I’m for solar, as much as the next person. But, when it comes to people having a roof over their head, solar is the last “luxury” we need. There is no question that solar power is a great alternative energy. In my family, my nephew sells it; and my brother owns it; so I’m a fan of solar power. Add to the fact that I love sunshine in general, and you can easily imagine me being “for” the benefits.
However, I’m more in favor of housing affordability. California in particular, can’t stop making their own problem of affordability even worse. Their new law mandating solar power be installed on ALL homes in 2020 is a mistake of epic proportions. Before you stop reading, remember I’m for solar, just not mandating it across the board when housing is already out of reach for millions of Californians. Proponents of the new law are citing that this will only raise the cost of a new home by about $10,000. Guess again. When someone in favor of a new law starts quoting numbers the “cost”, I’ve learned to at least double it. In the case of public infrastructure, or government spending, use a factor of 4. Sure, anyone could manipulate numbers to say solar only cost $10,000. There is the added factor that solar pays for itself (yea, in like 20 year). Truth is, go try to find a solar system installed on your new or existing home today. You would be lucky to spend less than $30,000- net of the rebates.
California, you want to try a better mandate? I would suggest mandating an ADU be added to every new home, instead of a solar panel. Axillary dwelling units (ADU’s) can do more for the environment, and the financial stability of your state. For $30,000 added to the cost of every new home, the lack of affordable places to live cause more pollution and congestion than a million solar panels could ever reduce.
Millennials and Gen Z are very much in favor of alternative energy. But, do you know how many of them will be able to actually afford one of these new homes built in California in 2020? Do the math, and let me know. Then, just for kicks calculate the commute time they will have instead. ADU’s can help solve your problem of availability, affordability, and congestion. I applaud you that ADU’s are now legal in California; that’s a law I can definitely get behind.
We need to come together and create policies that help everyone. We have been doing things that benefit too few for too long. Xavier Becerra is credited with coining the phrase “As California goes, so goes the Nation”. That slogan has been proven out for many decades both socially and culturally. If it were to remain true in the way of housing affordability, I’m afraid for our future of home ownership, or even having enough safe and affordable places to rent nationwide. With or without the benefits of a solar panel on the roof.
Tony Bonitati
Author of Radical Housing Solutions