New single-family homes must have solar water heaters
Solar water heaters are now required in new single-family homes in Hawaii under legislation signed into law by Gov. Linda Lingle on June 25. The measure specifically prohibits the issuing of building permits for single-family homes that do not have solar water heaters, effective Jan. 1, 2010.
Exceptions are homes built in areas with little sunshine, such as forests, and those with substitute renewable energy sources. Act 204 also will allow home builders to use gas-demand water heaters, in which a small tank heats water quickly when the faucet is turned on, if the home includes another gas appliance.
The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission will set standards for the water heaters and counties will establish procedures to implement the law. "This solar power legislation is another important step in our long-term plan for energy independence in Hawaii," Lingle said. "In addition to solar, it is critical that we continue to develop innovative energy solutions that capitalize on our natural renewable resource advantages in order to achieve our goal of having 70 percent clean energy in Hawaii by 2030."
