Here comes the sun.

Cranbrook has signed on to a province-supported building regulation that requires all new homes are "roughed in" for solar hot water systems.

City council passed the regulation a year ago, but the province's Greening the Building Code initiative takes effect June 21.

"Cranbrook is progressing down the road of trying to reduce our carbon footprint, trying to come into alignment with the principles for climate change," said Mayor Scott Manjak. "We're taking small steps towards reaching those goals."

New home building applications will now include the requirement to have pipes installed that would facilitate a solar hot water system should the home owner wish to install it.

"The contractors will have to put in piping to be ready to accept the unit at some time," said Manjak.

A solar hot water system can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by one to two tonnes per year for a single-family home using natural gas for water heating.

Making a house solar ready will cost the builder approximately $200 to $500.

"It's not expensive to do and it's not complicated. And it just goes into the price of the home," said Manjak.

Local developers and contractors were "mixed" about the news, Manjak said.

"When we went down this road last year we sent out letters to the major contractors and builders in this town asking for their comments. It was mixed for the most part. Some said it will increase the price of the home and the cost of building the home, and others said we should be doing this, we need to jump into the 21st century."

The LiveSmart BC program offers rebates for solar hot water systems. An average solar hot water system costs $6,900, and pays for itself in energy savings in five to 10 years.