Communities Nationwide Invited to Become SolSmart; Receive Recognition and Technical Assistance for Reducing Solar Energy Costs

SolSmart is funded by the U.S Department of Energy SunShot Initiative through the Solar Powering America by Recognizing Communities (SPARC) funding opportunity. Over the three-year, federally-funded portion of the program, SolSmart will recognize more than 300 communities that cut red tape around going solar and make it possible for more American homes and businesses to use solar energy to meet their electricity needs.

SolSmart national designation will signal that a community is "open for [solar] business," helping to attract local economic development and create solar jobs. Attracting new solar businesses can help communities deliver cost savings for solar customers and local governments while new solar installations can help communities achieve their climate goals.

"Our city has worked hard to make solar more affordable and easier for our residents and small businesses to install," said City Manager Scott Wingerson of Gladstone, Missouri. "We have seen firsthand how our actions have led to considerable social and economic benefits locally. The solar panels that have been installed at our water treatment plant have served to partially offset the annual utility costs at this facility. Solar gives us another tool to help manage operational costs. SolSmart presents cities and counties nationwide with an opportunity to realize similar benefits and I encourage every community to join Gladstone and get involved."

The SolSmart program seeks to address solar "soft costs," which are business processes or administrative costs that can increase the time and money it takes to install a solar energy system. Local governments are in a unique position to both reduce these costs and to promote the use of solar in their jurisdictions.

SolSmart offers three levels of designation – Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Communities can earn points to achieve designation tiers by taking action across eight categories. To achieve designation, communities must meet minimum requirements pertaining to two main categories: permitting, as well as planning, zoning, and development regulations. SolSmart communities then have flexibility in achieving the remaining points toward designation in six special-focus categories.

"The role of local governments in building stronger and more resilient communities has never been greater," said ICMA Executive Director Robert J. O'Neill, Jr. "Cities, towns, and counties consume a large portion of the nation's electricity, which is why they can also have a significant impact on the financial, environmental, and economic health of the country by adopting solar energy technologies. The SolSmart program will recognize that impact."

ICMA will lead the effort to designate communities under SolSmart by reviewing applications and determining whether a community meets the criteria for designation. Communities that apply and do not reach the base designation level will be referred to TSF and their team to receive no-cost technical assistance to help the community qualify for designation. The SolSmart technical assistance program includes the opportunity for communities to host fully-funded temporary staff called SolSmart Advisors. These program ambassadors will travel to communities selected through an open, competitive process and provide personalized, hands-on assistance to help each host community achieve SolSmart designation.

"The Solar Foundation and its technical assistance partners have extensive experience working with communities to implement best practices," said Andrea Luecke, President and Executive Director of The Solar Foundation. "We look forward to collaborating with local governments on SolSmart to tackle soft cost barriers and establish robust solar markets. Additionally, we are excited to roll out the SolSmart Advisors program, and encourage all communities pursuing designation to apply to host an Advisor by mid-June."  

ICMA will be supported by the National Civic League, Home Innovation Research Labs, Meister Consultants Group, and TSF. Joining TSF on the technical assistance team are the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Meister Consultants Group, the National League of Cities, the National Association of Counties, the Solar Energy Industries Association, the Electric Power Research Institute, the Regulatory Assistance Project, and Brooks Engineering.

For inquiries about the designation program and process, contact:
Emily Dodson
ICMA, the International City/County Management Association
[email protected]; 202-962-3694

For inquiries about technical assistance or the SolSmart Advisors program, contact:
Philip Haddix
The Solar Foundation (TSF)
[email protected]; 202-469-3743

About ICMA
ICMA, the International City/County Management Association, advances professional local government management worldwide. Its mission is to create excellence in local governance by developing and advancing professional management to create sustainable communities that improve lives worldwide. The management decisions made by ICMA's members affect millions of individuals living in thousands of communities, from small villages and towns to large metropolitan areas.

About The Solar Foundation
An independent nonprofit founded in 1977, the mission of The Solar Foundation (TSF) is to increase understanding of solar energy through strategic research and education that transform markets. While solar energy is a key part of our energy future, TSF is committed to excellence in its aim to help people fairly and objectively gauge the value of the solar industry worldwide.

About the SunShot Initiative
The U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative is a collaborative national effort that aggressively drives innovation to make solar energy fully cost-competitive with traditional energy sources before the end of the decade. Through SunShot, the Energy Department supports efforts by private companies, universities, and national laboratories to drive down the cost of solar electricity to $0.06 per kilowatt-hour. Learn more at energy.gov/sunshot.

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SOURCE ICMA, the International City/County Management Association

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