Chattanooga | SolSmart

In The News

Technical Assistance Organization

Cadmus Group

In order to sustain the unique quality of life generations have come to enjoy in the Tennessee valley, the City of Chattanooga embraces and supports the design, development, and installation of renewable sources of energy that will bring clean, affordable, and reliable access to electricity for all Chattanoogans." Mayor Andy Berke

SolSmart Criteria
Program Highlights
Case Study

SolSmart Criteria

Created an online permitting checklist, increasing transparency for community members and solar installers.
Reviewed local zoning codes and identified restrictions that intentionally or unintentionally prohibit solar PV development
Allowed solar by-right accessory use in all zones (so solar installations don’t require special permits or hearings)
Cross-trained both inspection and permitting staff on solar PV
Provided a streamlined permitting pathway for small PV systems
Created a streamlined process to approve certain solar permit applications over the counter

Program Highlights

Electric Power Board constructed the city’s first community solar project which consists of 4, 408 solar panels with a total output of nearly 1.4 megawatts of power.

Case Study

Chattanooga, Tennessee, has been intentional about seizing collaborative opportunities to improve the quality of life for its residents. As a result, Chattanooga decided to pursue SolSmart Gold to help the city make it faster, simpler, and more transparent for residents and businesses to go solar. Chattanooga achieved SolSmart Gold by evaluating what criteria needed to be worked on, working with a technical advisor, and working collaboratively across sectors to create a community solar project. The project is designed to lower barriers to participating in solar power generation by cutting the cost of owning solar panels on a home.

Click here to read an in-depth case study on Chattanooga’s efforts to attain SolSmart Gold.

Chattanooga TN

Designation Level: SolSmart Gold

In The News

Technical Assistance Organization

SolSmart Criteria

Program Highlights

Case Study

Solar Energy: SolSmart’s Toolkit For Local Governments

National Academies Study Evaluates Impact of SolSmart Program

SolSmart Program Guide

Sustainable States Network: Linking State-Based Recognition Programs

SolarAPP+ Spotlight: Removing Red Tape on Solar Projects Nationwide

How Do You Track Solar in Your Community?

Chattanooga TN

Designation Level: SolSmart Gold

In The News

Technical Assistance Organization

SolSmart Criteria

Program Highlights

Case Study