New Homes in South Miami Now Require Solar Panels

New homes being built in South Miami will now have to install solar panels due to new law approved on July 18. This law will also apply to existing houses that chose to renovate and will be going into effect on September 18. The new law requires new residential construction to have 175 square feet of solar panel to be installed per 1,000 square feet of sunlit roof area, or 2.75 kw per 1,000 square feet of living space, whichever the lesser. However, houses built under existing trees may be exempt. South Miami Mayor, Philip Stoddard, a biology professor at Florida International University says, “Solar reduces the cost of home ownership, it makes houses sell faster, it returns more to a builder, it makes local jobs, and most importantly, it reduces carbon emissions today to help out children and grandchildren have a better future tomorrow.” The mayor’s own home runs on solar and he drives an electric car, allowing himself to have an electric bill of about $10 a month.

To read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/south-miami/article162307863.html