California Title 24 Solar Requirements

California’s Energy Code, known as Title 24, requires solar on most new homes. It sets how big the system has to be and how the home has to be ready for a battery. If you’re building, adding on or putting in an ADU, it’s part of your permit.

What the code asks for

• Solar on most new single-family homes and new detached ADUs, sized by a formula based on the home’s floor area and climate zone.
• Battery-ready wiring and panel space, so a battery can be added later without tearing things apart. Installing a battery up front also satisfies it.
• Exceptions for some situations, such as heavy shading or very small usable roof area. Your plan checker decides whether one applies.

Additions, including attached ADUs, generally don’t trigger the solar requirement.

How we help

We read the energy compliance report from your Title 24 consultant, or work with you to get one. Then we design a system that meets the requirement, fits the roof and makes sense for the people who will live there. We prepare the solar plans, pull the permit, install, and get it through inspection and the SCE interconnection.

Code minimum isn’t always the right size. In SCE territory, a slightly larger system paired with a battery often saves more over time. We’ll show you both.

Building an ADU? Read Does my ADU need solar?