Rhode Island Considering Solar For All New Construction and Parking Lots
Rhode Island representative Jennifer Boylan has submitted legislation that would mandate the inclusion of solar power in all newly constructed single-family dwellings, multi-family dwellings, large commercial buildings, and parking lots exceeding 16,000 sq. ft. From a report: The legislation, titled the Solar Neighborhoods Act (PDF), calls for the Rhode Island Building Code Commission to establish new code requirements for each of the aforementioned construction types. The document specifies that, at a minimum, the Code Commission must add code provisions to address: - Static load roof strength, requiring that roofs where solar equipment could be placed support a minimum of six pounds per square foot;- Placement of non-solar-related rooftop equipment, considering positioning that avoids shading solar equipment and maximizes continuous roof space;- Sizing and provision of extra electrical panels to accommodate the addition of an appropriately-sized future solar energy system; and- Provision of space for a solar energy system DC-AC inverter in the utility room or on an outside wall. The legislation also recommends that the Code Commission consider amending the building code to account for roof orientation and angle, roofing materials that minimize or require no roof penetrations, conduit for wiring from roof to electrical panels, and the inclusion of level 2 electric vehicle charging infrastructure. [...] The legislation further requires outdoor parking lots larger than 16,000 sq. ft to install raised solar-panel canopies covering at least 50% of the parking lot's surface, and that 5% of the parking spaces must feature electric vehicle charging stations. Moreover, 20% of parking spaces should be equipped with the infrastructure, such as underground wiring, to accommodate additional EV charging stations in the future. The report notes that California has already implemented a new construction solar mandate, and a similar measure is under consideration in Massachusetts.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.