Today in “awesome news for the planet" and "take a seat, global warming," San Francisco just became the first major US city to require the installation of solar panels on new residential and commercial buildings. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed the legislation on Tuesday by unanimous decision.
How This Decision Impacts Sustainability
According to a press release, “This legislation will help move San Francisco towards its goal of meeting 100% of the city’s electricity demand with renewable energy.”
Back in 2014, California paved the way for a legislative emphasis on sustainability. The California Energy Commission introduced eco-friendly standards for all new residential and commercial buildings, requiring new buildings to have solar-ready roofs.
With Tuesday’s decision, San Francisco became the first US city to turn that foundation for sustainability into action.
In a statement, Supervisor Scott Wiener states:
“Activating underutilized roof space is a smart and efficient way to promote the use of solar energy and improve our environment. We need to continue to pursue aggressive renewable energy policies to ensure a sustainable future for our city and our region.”
Combatting Global Warming One Panel At A Time
Under San Francisco’s legislation, the sustainable requirement for new construction can take the form of either solar photovoltaic or solar water panels. Both types of panels supply 100% renewable energy, and both are a promising step towards cities that run on green, renewable fuel.
San Francisco’s decision also sets a precedent for other major US cities. With a model in place, future legislative bodies may feel more inclined to follow Wiener’s lead — and the more cities seek to meet electricity demands with renewable resources, the healthier our planet will be.
Follow Green Future for developments on this exciting news in solar energy!
Rebecca writes about green technology, sustainability, and big ideas. She graduated from the University of California, Riverside with a degree in Creative Writing. She lives in sunny San Diego. Follow her on Twitter at @beccawriteswhat.
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