New ‘solar-ready’ requirements add to Austin building costs

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Come Oct. 1, virtually all new homes and commercial buildings in Austin will need to be built “solar-ready.” That means they must have enough space on their roofs to add solar panels. The outside electrical box also has to be large enough to incorporate a circuit-breaker for future solar technology.
City Council approved the move Thursday night, with just Council Member Ellen Troxclair against the ordinance, but those in the building industry warn the requiremen