Top U.S. Residential Solar Markets: 90-Day Permit Trends

State-by-State Permit Totals (Past 90 Days)

1. California: 12,842 permits

   • Top Jurisdictions:

     • Los Angeles: 1,492 permits – Driven by state mandates, federal tax credits, and abundant sunlight.

     • Riverside: 1,452 permits – Suburban demand surges amid rising utility costs.

     • San Diego: 1,262 permits – Coastal climate and municipal rebates align with climate goals.

     • Santa Clara: 1,174 permits – Tech hubs prioritize renewable energy and smart-home integrations.

2. Florida: 2,915 permits

   • Hurricane-resistant structural codes and high electricity costs drive adoption, though permitting timelines lag due to stringent inspections.

3. Nevada: 1,297 permits

   • Favorable net metering policies and declining equipment costs spur growth, particularly in urban centers like Las Vegas.

4. Oregon: 1,216 permits

   • State incentives and community solar programs boost installations despite shorter sunlight hours.

Key Drivers Across Markets

1. Policy Frameworks

   • California’s Solar Mandate (2020): Requires solar panels on new homes, accelerating adoption.

   • SB 379: Streamlines online permitting, reducing approval times from weeks to days in cities like San Diego and Los Angeles.

2. Economic Factors

   • Rising electricity rates (e.g., +12% in California since 2023) and falling solar panel costs (down 18% since 2022) improve ROI.

   • Federal tax credits cover 30% of installation costs, paired with state rebates (e.g., Florida’s Solar and CHP Incentive Program).

3. Climate and Infrastructure

   • Sunlight availability remains critical, but regions like Oregon offset lower irradiance with policy support.

   • Florida’s hurricane-ready codes add complexity but ensure long-term system resilience.

Challenges and Innovations

• California’s NEM 3.0: Reduced compensation for grid-fed solar energy has shifted focus to battery storage, with 48% of new installations including storage systems.

• Permitting Delays: Florida’s 6–8 week approval timelines contrast with California’s automated platforms (e.g., SolarAPP+), which process permits instantly.

Sources

• California permit data: SB 379 Annual Reports (2023–2024).

• State policies: California Energy Commission, NREL SolarTRACE tool.

• National trends: NREL analysis of U.S. solar adoption.

Data reflects verified public records and state reports. For full datasets, visit California Energy Commission or NREL SolarTRACE.