West · CA
California
Confidence: High
Highest regulatory burden in the country, severe drought and wildfire. Off-grid is legally and physically punishing.
-38
Overall
Verdict
Avoid for off-grid
Weighted across Water · Legal · Soil · Energy · Climate
Quick stats
- Region
- West
- Overall score
- -38
- Confidence
- High
Domain breakdown
How CA scores
Water-30 / ±50
Legal-30 / ±40
Soil+4 / ±30
Energy+20 / ±25
Climate Risk-22 / ±25
In its favor
- +Excellent solar
- +Long growing season
Watch-outs
- −Strictest code regime (Title 24, CalGreen)
- −Drought emergencies
- −Wildfire catastrophic
- −Septic restrictive
- −High cost
Notes by domain
Water
-30Severe drought; well moratoriums in places; senior rights complex.
Legal
-30Title 24, CalGreen, SB-9, county overlays. Off-grid disconnection contested.
Soil
+4Excellent in Central Valley; thin in mountains.
Energy
+20Excellent solar.
Climate Risk
-22Wildfire, drought, earthquake.