New building code in Palo Alto, Calif., requires buildings to accommodate PVs, greywater irrigation

The new building code in Palo Alto, Calif., requires all new buildings to accommodate solar panels and irrigation systems that rely on laundry water. All new single-family residences will have to dedicate 500 square feet on their roof surfaces to allow for solar panels.

Exceptions will be made in cases where the requirement could interfere with trees. All new construction will also have to accommodate later installation of "laundry-to-landscape ready" irrigation systems by including three-way diverter valves in the drain line of laundry fixtures.

Read more