California

Solar Efficiency Rank: #4 in the nation (1,551 MWh/year*)

Number of schools in state: 12,917

Solar Total Output Rank: #1 in the nation (20,032 GWh/year* and 12.3% of Total US Output potential)

* Calculations assume that schools install a 1 MWp solar array

Average Solar Potential, by Zip Code

Hover over each zip-code to see the Photo-Voltaic Output (PVOUT) in KWh/year, a measure of the electrical energy generated, of a 1 MWp solar panel array installed in a school within that zip code. 

Dark-red colored zip codes have higher PVOUT values and correlate to ideal regions for solar panels. These regions often have higher elevation, more exposure to sunlight, and latitude values closer to the equator. Solar arrays in these locations will outperform those placed in yellow or orange colored zip codes. 

Number of Schools, by Zip Code

Hover over each zip-code to see the number of local schools in that region. Dense population centers (like cities) have smaller land-area and higher number of schools in each zip code. 

Total Solar Potential, by Zip Code

Hover over each zip-code to see the total Photo-Voltaic Output (PVOUT) in KWh/year, a measure of the electrical energy generated, of 1 MWp solar panel arrays installed at every school in that zip code. 

Areas with higher density of population, and therefore a larger number of schools, will show up as dark-red on the map. As decisions to “go solar” are often made by local school boards, communities in these regions can make an outsized impact. 

Top 10 Schools in the State

Schools are sorted by solar potential. The schools below are the best candidates in the state for installing (or expanding) solar panel arrays:

Rank School Address Solar Potential
(MWh/year)
1BALDY MESA ELEMENTARY10376 BALDY MESA RD.
PHELAN, CA 92329
1745.23
2WRIGHTWOOD ELEMENTARY1175 STATE HIGHWAY 2
WRIGHTWOOD, CA 92397
1745.06
3QUAIL VALLEY MIDDLE10058 ARROWHEAD RD.
PHELAN, CA 92371
1744.63
4EAGLE SUMMIT COMMUNITY DAY3919 NIELSON RD.
PHELAN, CA 92371
1744.59
5YUCCA MESA ELEMENTARY3380 AVALON AVE.
YUCCA VALLEY, CA 92277
1744.45
6PHELAN ELEMENTARY4167 PHELAN RD.
PHELAN, CA 92371
1744.04
7CHAPARRAL HIGH9258 MALPASO RD.
PHELAN, CA 92329
1743.66
8SERRANO HIGH9292 SHEEP CREEK RD.
PHELAN, CA 92329
1743.61
9SNOWLINE VIRTUAL9298 SHEEP CREEK RD.
PHELAN, CA 92371
1743.44
10PINON MESA MIDDLE9298 SHEEP CREEK RD.
PHELAN, CA 92329
1743.42