I have always wanted to design and build my own house from scratch. Now I know there is no way I would ever consider doing this in CA.
Why?
When we decided to go solar we opted to build a 13 kW array mounted on a custom designed pergola built in the backyard. We didn’t want it on the roof and we needed more shade.
The project was going to cost in the range of $50K to $75K. I did all the engineering and construction. By the time we were done the project cost us $125K.
I’ll spare you the details on the six months of agony the regulators put us through. They turned a super simple project into the worst nightmare I have ever experienced.
They have all the power. There is nothing —zero— you can do about it. And you better hold a smile any time you deal with them or they will deliver vindictive rulings from which you might never escape. CA needs a reset button. This is a mess. And it will get worse before it gets better.
Why?
When we decided to go solar we opted to build a 13 kW array mounted on a custom designed pergola built in the backyard. We didn’t want it on the roof and we needed more shade.
The project was going to cost in the range of $50K to $75K. I did all the engineering and construction. By the time we were done the project cost us $125K.
I’ll spare you the details on the six months of agony the regulators put us through. They turned a super simple project into the worst nightmare I have ever experienced.
They have all the power. There is nothing —zero— you can do about it. And you better hold a smile any time you deal with them or they will deliver vindictive rulings from which you might never escape. CA needs a reset button. This is a mess. And it will get worse before it gets better.