Inyo County is located on the east side of the Sierra Nevada mountains in the eastern-central area of California and has a population of 18,546 over 10,203 square miles. The County is situated in an excellent area for solar due its above average solar energy resource. Inyo County yields 1,481 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 Inyo County, 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 Inyo County:
| LOCAL IMPACT |
Inyo County |
All Central Valley Jurisdictions (15) |
| Solar Viable Residences |
3,056 |
155,924 |
| Residential Potential (kW) |
15,587 |
795,212 |
| Total Market Potential (kW) |
32,004 |
2,774,405 |
| Annual Energy Production (kWh) |
47,398,000 |
3,961,850,000 |
| Equivalent Homes Powered |
4,067 |
340,638 |
| Economic Impact ($) |
$59 million |
$5.1 billion |
| Workforce Impact (Jobs): |
307 |
26,634 |
| Environmental Benefit (acres trees) |
6,967 |
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 Inyo County currently follow standard permitting procedures. The County is exploring streamlines processes for solar, including the use of simplified solar specific forms.
- For general information visit Inyo County’s Department Directory website
- The building inspector for the Independence region can be reached at (760) 878-0215
- The building inspector for the Bishop region can be reached at (760) 873-7857
Net Metering & Interconnection Procedures
Southern California Edison (SCE) and the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP) both provide electricity to the County. Solar related information is easily accessible online and direct links are below.
- Visit SCE’s Solar Website for general information
- SCE’s Net Energy Metering Process is available online
- SCE’s Net Energy Metering Interconnection Handbook is available online. For specific questions call (626) 302-3688 or send an email to interconnectionQA@sce.com
- Visit LADWP’s Solar Website for general information
- LADWP’s Forms and Application Process 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 County so 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.
