The City of Atwater is located in Merced County at the northern end of the San Joaquin Valley and has a population of 28,168 over 6 square miles. The City is situated in an excellent area for solar due its above average solar energy resource. Atwater yields 1,381 kWh/kW per year, which is more than 10% greater than the national average of 1,200 kWh/kW per year.
Solar Market Potential
In assessing the potential for solar PV installations in Atwater, the SSTI team considered statewide renewable energy goals and determined the local deployment necessary to achieve these goals. In California, all utilities must comply with the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), which requires a specified fraction of electric power to be produced by renewable sources. In California, the RPS mandates 33% renewables by 2020.
Local solar project development keeps the economic and environmental benefits in the community. Targeting development of half of that renewable energy production through local/regional solar PV could produce the following impact over the next 5 years in Atwater:
| LOCAL IMPACT |
City of Atwater |
All Central Valley Jurisdictions (15) |
| Solar Viable Residences |
3,378 |
155,924 |
| Residential Potential (kW) |
17,227 |
795,212 |
| Total Market Potential (kW) |
54,263 |
2,774,405 |
| Annual Energy Production (kWh) |
23,791,000 |
3,961,850,000 |
| Equivalent Homes Powered |
2,046 |
340,638 |
| Economic Impact ($) |
$100 million |
$5.1 billion |
| Workforce Impact (Jobs): |
521 |
26,634 |
| Environmental Benefit (acres trees) |
11,016 |
559,666 |
Visit our methods and assumptions page for more information on these estimates.
Local Solar Requirements
For specific information regarding local solar permitting, zoning, net metering or interconnection procedures, contact the appropriate office listed below.
Permitting & Inspection Procedures
Permitting and inspection for solar PV systems in Atwater currently follow standard permitting procedures. The City is exploring streamlined processes for solar, including the use of simplified solar specific permit forms.
- Visit the City of Atwater’s Community Development Department website for general information or call the Building Division at (209) 357-6338
Net Metering & Interconnection Procedures
Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and the Merced Irrigation District (MID) both provide electricity to the City. Solar related information is easily accessible online and direct links are below.
- Visit PG&E’s Solar Website for general information
- PG&E’s Net Energy Metering & Interconnection Process is available online
- PG&E’s Net Energy Metering Application and Interconnection Agreement are available online
- Visit MID’s Solar Website for general information
- MID’s Net Metering Standards are available online
Local Solar Resources
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General Solar Resources
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Solar Roadmap
To facilitate efforts to capture the local solar opportunity, the SSTI team has worked in close coordination with the City to develop a customized, interactive solar roadmap as described and accessible below. This solar roadmap contains specific, actionable steps that can be pursued to improve permitting and inspection processes and develop solar friendly municipal regulations and guidelines.
