Barrington Rep.’s bill: Require solar on new construction

Legislation has a few exceptions, including one for affordable housing

Posted 3/23/23

An East Bay lawmaker recently introduced a bill that would require most new construction in the state to include solar panels as part of the initial construction.

Rep. Jennifer Boylan (D-Dist. …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Register to post events


If you'd like to post an event to our calendar, you can create a free account by clicking here.

Note that free accounts do not have access to our subscriber-only content.

Day pass subscribers

Are you a day pass subscriber who needs to log in? Click here to continue.


Barrington Rep.’s bill: Require solar on new construction

Legislation has a few exceptions, including one for affordable housing

Posted

An East Bay lawmaker recently introduced a bill that would require most new construction in the state to include solar panels as part of the initial construction.

Rep. Jennifer Boylan (D-Dist. 66, Barrington, East Providence) said that every time she sees a new building go up without solar panels, she sees it as a missed opportunity. 

“With energy costs going up and the clock ticking on preventing the worst impacts of climate change, we need to get moving,” said Rep. Boylan. “We build new houses and schools and then a few years later we think to put solar panels on them. Homeowners, taxpayers and our environment would all benefit from doing things right the first time.”

Rep. Boylan’s bill (2023-H 5851) would require most new construction to include solar panels. It would instruct the Rhode Island Building Code Commission to create different regulations for single-family dwellings, multi-family dwellings, large commercial buildings and parking lots over 16,000 square feet.

Developers could apply for an exemption if they can demonstrate solar would be impractical, if they provide alternative forms of renewable energy generation or if they are constructing affordable housing and don’t have sufficient funding.

According to a press release from Rep. Boylan, homes constructed with solar panels can save homeowners money on their monthly bills even if the additional labor and equipment costs are factored into their mortgage, and contractors and developers often do not often consider future savings on electric bills when constructing new homes. 

“Additionally, many architects and contractors don’t factor in solar when they design and build,” stated the release. “This sometimes leads to decisions, such as placing HVAC equipment or chimneys on south-facing roofs, that prevents future owners from going solar as efficiently.”

According to Rep. Boylan’s press release, California passed a solar requirement for new home construction in 2018, and other states, including neighboring Massachusetts, are considering similar bills. 

Advocates said requiring solar on new construction will help create jobs, add resiliency to the electrical grid and prevent forests from being cut down to make room for solar. 

“We need to act fast to reach our clean energy targets,” said Amanda Baker, policy associate with the Green Energy Consumers Alliance. “Building efficiently with solar and electric vehicle readiness will save consumers time and money down the line. This bill will help us meet the Act on Climate targets, benefit consumers and create jobs.”

Rep. Boylan said contractors, architects and builders have a lot to consider when building a house, and that this bill is about making sure renewable energy is a priority and not an afterthought.

“The person buying that house will pay more over their lifetime if you build a house that’s hard to retrofit for solar panels,” Rep. Boylan said. “And energy bills for everyone are going to keep going up if we don’t act. By requiring solar whenever practical, everyone will benefit.”

2024 by East Bay Media Group

Barrington · Bristol · East Providence · Little Compton · Portsmouth · Tiverton · Warren · Westport
Meet our staff
MIKE REGO

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.