The City of Turlock is located Stanislaus County in the northern Central Valley and has a population of 68,549 over 16 square miles. The City is situated in an excellent area for solar due its above average solar energy resource. Turlock yields 1,378 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 Turlock, 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 Turlock:
| LOCAL IMPACT |
City of Turlock |
All Central Valley Jurisdictions (15) |
| Solar Viable Residences |
10,616 |
155,924 |
| Residential Potential (kW) |
54,143 |
795,212 |
| Total Market Potential (kW) |
157,115 |
2,774,405 |
| Annual Energy Production (kWh) |
216,505,000 |
3,961,850,000 |
| Equivalent Homes Powered |
18,615 |
340,638 |
| Economic Impact ($) |
$291 million |
$5.1 billion |
| Workforce Impact (Jobs): |
1,508 |
26,634 |
| Environmental Benefit (acres trees) |
31,826 |
559,666 |
Visit our methods and assumptions page for more information on these estimates.
Local Installation 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 Turlock currently follow standard permitting procedures. The City is exploring streamlined processes for solar, including the use of simplified solar specific permit forms.
- For general information visit the City of Turlock’s Building & Safety Division website or call (209) 668-5560
Net Metering & Interconnection Procedures
The Turlock Irrigation District (TID) is the electricity provider for the City. Solar related information is easily accessible online and direct links are below.
- Visit TID’s Solar Website for general information and to access TID’s online Net Energy Metering and Interconnection Applications
- Read TID’s Solar Electric Rebate Program Handbook for detailed solar information
Relevant Municipal Policies
- Turlock’s existing General Plan solar policy language is shown below:
8.2-q Encourage Solar Power Generation. Encourage the use of passive and active solar devices such as solar collectors, solar cells, and solar heating systems into the design of buildings and parking areas by participating in existing incentive programs and considering new incentives for Turlock property owners.
The entire Turlock General Plan is linked here. In order to see the context of the policies shown above, refer to page 8-36.
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.
