Data Source: American Community Survey, U.S. Census Bureau.
Analysis by CEC Economics
Highlights
Solar heating adoption varies considerably across counties in California, with several small counties by population punching above their weights. In 2023, Alpine County had the highest adoption rate (4.9%), but since it is such a small county, its impact on the state is miniscule. Other small counties with notable solar adoption rates include Glenn County (2.6%), Colusa County (2.5%), and Amador County (2.3%).
Several counties in the Central Valley, the heart of California’s agricultural economy, also had notable solar adoption rates at or above two percent. These counties include Fresno County (2.8%), Madera County (2.7%), Yuba County (2.2%), Yolo County (2.1%), and Kern County (2.0%). Solar heating cuts across the urban-rural divide and region.