What changes next for solar PV systems in California?

The 2026 NEC is in development for January 1, 2029. The 2027 IRC is in development for January 1, 2029. The 2027 IBC is in development for January 1, 2029. The 2027 IFC is in development for January 1, 2029.

Which California laws name solar PV systems?

2025 California Energy Code, SB 710, SMUD Engineering Specification T014, SB 379, 16 CCR Secs. 810, 832.10, and 832.46, AB 1104, CPUC Resolution E-5364, CPUC Emergency Load Reduction Program, and 22 CCR Sec. 66261.9 and Div. 4.5, Ch. 23 are in force or enacted.

What applies to my job?

Pick the state and the product you build, install, or inspect. The card below answers from each state’s own record.

State

Solar PV in California

Which codes apply? In California, solar PV systems fall under the 2023 NEC, the 2024 IRC, the 2024 IBC, and the 2024 IFC.

Rooftop and ground-mounted photovoltaic arrays and their wiring. State record read Oct 18, 2026. Data as of Oct 26, 2026.

Codes that reach solar PV systems

The edition California enforces for each code that governs the product, and the part of the code that does.

NECNational Electrical Code

2023 NECVerified

in force since Jan 1, 2026

Where it reaches the product. Article 690, solar photovoltaic systems, with 705 for the interconnection and 690.12 for rapid shutdown.

2025 California Electrical Code · Cal. Code Regs., tit. 24, pt. 3

The 2026 NEC is in development for January 1, 2029.

The California NEC record
IRCInternational Residential Code

2024 IRCVerified

in force since Jan 1, 2026

Where it reaches the product. Section R324, solar energy systems.

2025 California Residential Code · Cal. Code Regs., tit. 24, pt. 2.5

The 2027 IRC is in development for January 1, 2029.

The California IRC record
IBCInternational Building Code

2024 IBCVerified

in force since Jan 1, 2026

Where it reaches the product. Rooftop structures and the structural load of the array.

2025 California Building Code · Cal. Code Regs., tit. 24, pt. 2

The 2027 IBC is in development for January 1, 2029.

The California IBC record
IFCInternational Fire Code

2024 IFCVerified

in force since Jan 1, 2026

Where it reaches the product. Chapter 12, section 1205, solar photovoltaic power systems and roof access.

2025 California Fire Code · Cal. Code Regs., tit. 24, pt. 9

The 2027 IFC is in development for January 1, 2029.

The California IFC record

Coming next

NEC
The 2026 NEC is in development for January 1, 2029.
Commission’s 2027 Triennial Cycle lists adoption of the 2026 NEC.
Verified
IRC
The 2027 IRC is in development for January 1, 2029.
Commission’s 2027 Triennial Cycle lists adoption of the 2027 ICC model codes without naming the IRC separately; AB 130’s pause on new residential standards exempts the latest model codes with necessary related state amendments.
Verified
IBC
The 2027 IBC is in development for January 1, 2029.
Commission’s 2027 Triennial Cycle lists adoption of the 2027 ICC model codes without naming the IBC separately.
Verified
IFC
The 2027 IFC is in development for January 1, 2029.
Commission’s 2027 Triennial Cycle lists adoption of the 2027 ICC model codes without naming the IFC separately.
Verified

State or local

NECLocal jurisdictions may add amendments by ordinance; since Oct 1, 2025, cities and counties may not adopt new residential amendments through Jun 1, 2031, except under AB 130’s listed exceptions.
IRCLocal jurisdictions may add amendments by ordinance; since Oct 1, 2025, cities and counties may not adopt new residential amendments through Jun 1, 2031, except under AB 130’s listed exceptions.
IBCLocal jurisdictions may add amendments by ordinance; since Oct 1, 2025, cities and counties may not adopt new residential amendments through Jun 1, 2031, except under AB 130’s listed exceptions.
IFCLocal jurisdictions may add amendments by ordinance; since Oct 1, 2025, cities and counties may not adopt new residential amendments through Jun 1, 2031, except under AB 130’s listed exceptions.

Cities and counties can amend a statewide code, so confirm the edition in force with the local official.

Go deeper

California laws that name solar PV systems

On the site: 10 laws, rules, orders, and bills, newest first.

Law or rule	Kind	Stage	Date	What it does
SMUD Engineering Specification T014SMUD Engineering Specification T014, Revision 7, dated Feb 19, 2026	Rule	PartialIn force	Feb 19, 2026	Allows only utility-approved meter socket adapters, on single-meter residential services of 200 amps or less, with exports capped at 20 kW. Source (opens in a new tab)
2025 California Energy CodeBusiness Meeting backup packet, Jun 11, 2025, Docket 25-BSTD-02	Code amendment	PartialIn force	Jan 1, 2026	Requires solar on new single-family, multifamily, and nonresidential buildings. Source (opens in a new tab)
SB 710Legislative update dated Oct 3, 2025	Bill	PartialIn force	Oct 3, 2025	Keeps the property tax exclusion for active solar energy systems built before Jan 1, 2027 until the property changes ownership. Source (opens in a new tab)
CPUC Resolution E-5364CPUC Resolution E-5364 (Energy Division own motion; Agenda ID 23299)	Commission order	PartialIn force	Mar 13, 2025	Sets the bill savings estimate in the Contractors State License Board's Solar Energy System Disclosure Document to the 12 months after installation. Source (opens in a new tab)
CPUC Emergency Load Reduction ProgramCPUC Emergency Load Reduction Program (pilot), most recently updated by D.23-12-005	Program rule	PartialIn force	May 1, 2021	Funds payments of $2 per kWh for nonresidential load reduction during grid emergencies, through 2027. Battery aggregators and exporting solar-plus-storage customers may take part. Source (opens in a new tab)
16 CCR Secs. 810, 832.10, and 832.46Order of Adoption	Rule	PartialIn force	–	Allows electrical contractors to install battery storage systems. Source (opens in a new tab)
2028 Energy Code rulemaking2028 Energy Code rulemaking, Docket 25-BSTD-03 (Title 24, Part 6)	Code amendment	VerifiedPending	–	Studies updates to the Energy Code, which sets solar and battery requirements for new buildings. Source (opens in a new tab)
22 CCR Sec. 66261.9 and Div. 4.5, Ch. 2322 CCR Sec. 66261.9 and Title 22, Division 4.5, Chapter 23 (universal waste); authority Health and Safety Code Sec. 25259 (SB 489, Chapter 419, Statutes of 2015)	Rule	PartialIn force	–	Allows solar modules, and batteries that are hazardous waste, to be managed as universal waste under simpler handling rules. Source (opens in a new tab)
AB 1104Analysis of May 5, 2025 version, hearing Jul 7, 2025	Bill	PartialIn force	–	Allows net-metered solar and paired storage projects to keep tariff eligibility after a contractor's wage violation once workers are repaid and penalties paid. Source (opens in a new tab)
SB 379SB 379 (Wiener), Chapter 356, Statutes of 2022	Statute	PartialIn force	–	Requires cities and counties to offer online, automated permitting for residential solar and solar-plus-storage systems and to report permit data annually. Source (opens in a new tab)

Every California law on solar PV systems, with filters

For information only. Your local building or fire official decides which code applies. We check state records often but can miss a recent change, so confirm with your official before you design, permit, or install. Terms of use