Zero Net Energy

 As spelled out in the California Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan, the state has ambitious goals for the development of zero net energy buildings. These include:

• All new residential construction will be zero net energy (ZNE) by 2020.
• All new commercial construction will be ZNE by 2030
• 50% of commercial buildings will be retrofit to ZNE by 2030
• 50% of new major renovations of state buildings will be ZNE by 2025.

In 2016, the Department of General Services issued these definitions of zero net energy:

• ZNE building - An energy-efficient building where, on a source energy basis, the actual annual consumed energy is less than or equal to the on-site renewable generated energy.
• ZNE campus - An energy-efficient campus where, on a source energy basis, the actual annual consumed energy is less than or equal to the on-site renewable generated energy.
• ZNE portfolio - An energy-efficient portfolio in which, on a source energy basis, the actual annual consumed energy is less than or equal to the on-site renewable generated energy.
• ZNE community - An energy-efficient community where, on a source energy basis, the actual annual consumed energy is less than or equal to the on-site renewable generated energy.