DC Council Considers Renewable Energy System Mandates to Meet Carbon Reduction Goals

Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, the “Solar Ready Roofs and Sustainable Development Amendment Act of 2017,” if adopted, would require all new or substantially renovated commercial and residential buildings of five or more dwelling units to include an on-site renewable energy system that is capable of generating at least 10% of the building’s energy needs. This legislation is similar to California’s laws that mandate that all new renovation and construction be “solar-ready.”

On December 13, AOBA testified before the Committee on Transportation and the Environment noting that the District’s responses to climate change must be flexible enough to account for the impact of government mandates on the economy and the financial vitality of individual business sectors.  We urged against a mandate since there are technical challenges in PV installations due to the District’s urban landscape, usable roof space, shading, and specific nuances in building construction, such as heating and ventilating systems, that must be considered. AOBA educated the Committee that AOBA members who have installed solar PV arrays or a renewable energy system, such as a solar-powered hot water heating system, are not achieving energy reductions anywhere close to a 10% reduction, as noted in the legislation. Rather, their energy reductions are closer to 1 to 2%.

 As AOBA continues to research this measure’s effects and the types of renewable energy systems on the market, it is important that we hear from members on how they believe this measure will impact their future construction plans.