Trasoff (Tucson councilwoman) wants to make new city homes solar-ready

Published: 11.03.2007

Trasoff wants to make new city homes solar-ready

ERIC SAGARA
Tucson Citizen

New homes could come equipped to take advantage of Tucson's abundant sunshine if Nina Trasoff has her way.

The Ward 6 councilwoman is proposing an ordinance requiring new home construction include fittings needed to make homes more solar-ready. The homes would not include solar panels, only the equipment needed to hook them up.

Trasoff said building homes ready for solar power add-ons would help builders market their product.

"The idea is that we're making it easier for people to make the decision to go solar," she said.

A council subcommittee may look at the issue late this month or in early December, Trasoff said.

John Wesley Miller, a local developer who has made a career of building solar-powered homes, said providing incentives is better than mandating compliance.

"The key to getting things in action is to incentivize them, not create more regulations, because we have a terrible problem with affordability," he said. "If the city wants to do the right thing, they need to step up to the plate and incentivize it. If it's $300, they should deduct that from the building permit."

Miller said installing a conduit in the roof for water pipes and wiring while the home is being built keeps homeowners from having to tear up the ceiling when they want to install solar panels.

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