October 26,2108-
The number and value of solar building permits in Tulare County continues to be strong but markedly lower than the past few years, in fact down by around two-thirds.
Through October 25 of this year the value of all solar permits, both residential and commercial add up to $56.3 million. There were 1776 residential solar permits taken out so far this year according to Construction Monitor.
By comparison there were 2042 permits for the same period in 2017 with a total valuation of both of residential and commercial solar permits totaling $89.3 million.
Those 2017 numbers are down from 2016 when solar valuation was even higher – reaching $157 million including 2662 residential permits. The big jump in 2016 in value came from commercial solar projects that reached $105 million.
In 2015 the numbers were more modest coming in at $112 million.
Despite the slowdown, solar array construction activity in the county remains strong adding up to $56.3 million so far this year in the county out of $438 million for all building activity.
Industry sources says that the U.S. solar industry is bouncing back after being slowed by the 30% tariff on imported solar modules and cells, imposed in 2018. Still the installed cost per watt for residential solar continues to decline.
The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory says the national median installed price of residential PV at the end of 2017 was $3.70/W and has dropped to $3.50/W by Q2 2018.
Meanwhile more than 100 California dairy farms have also installed solar energy systems to meet their energy needs and help the state meet its clean energy goals.