Local governments are the key to clean energy deployment. With the right resources, local governments can make solar energy more affordable and accessible for both homes and businesses. We at the U.S. Department of Energy know that getting the correct information into the hands of the right people is essential to meeting President Biden’s goal of decarbonizing the electricity system by 2020 and the energy sector by 2030.
This is why DOE’s SolSmart Program, which is led by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council and the International City/County Management Association(ICMA), has such importance. SolSmart, a team of experts from the solar energy industry and local governments, has helped hundreds of jurisdictions to implement best practices. The program provides free technical assistance for any municipality, county, or regional organization to remove barriers to going solar and reduce soft costs, which can slow down growth.
More than 420 SolSmart-designated communities exist in 41 States, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Every community can join. Last fall, Energy Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm set a goal to have 60 more SolSmart-designated communities by March 2022.
SolSmart is a designation that communities can earn by adopting best practices to streamline solar processes and encourage solar development. Communities can make a bronze or silver designation in many ways.
Here are some examples of how the latest SolSmart designers are making it easier and cheaper to go solar.
Doraville (G.A.) became one of the SolSmart Bronze communities to update their rooftop solar and battery storage zoning processes. This will give the community greater clarity about zoning requirements and encourage adoption.
Council Bluffs (I.A.) (SolSmart Gold) trained 80 city firefighters in solar photovoltaic fire safety best practices. The city also allowed large-scale P.V. systems to co-locate with agricultural production.
Newport News (SolSmart Bronze), V.A., created a web page offering a single-stop solar energy resource for the community. Staff was trained in fire safety, planning, and zoning best practices.
We are excited to congratulate all the recent awardees: Morrisville (N.C.) (Gold); Reno (N.V.); Woodbury (M.N.) (Silver); Northfield (M.N.); Mounds View (M.N.); Coon Rapids (M.N.); Frisco (C.O.); Holly Springs (N.C.); Carmel (IN); Bayside (W.I.); Morris (M.N.); Guilford (C.T.); Etna Borough (P.A.); Cary (N.C.);
SolSmart makes sure that communities can do more once they reach designation. This year alone, 26 towns have moved from SolSmart Bronze status to Silver and Gold. Wise County in Southwest Virginia moved to SolSmart Gold status and began construction on a solar project on land that was previously mined. SolSmart equity guides can also help governments create a strategy that will achieve their clean energy and equity goals.
SolSmart is playing a pivotal role in helping us transition to a clean-energy economy. We invite all communities in the United States to work with SolSmart and achieve their goals of sustainable energy usage and economic growth.