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The Council’s role is to work across local boundaries to address key shared issues and to support local governments in addressing those issues. Increasingly, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and resilience are interests we all share to be competitive as a region and improve the livability, vitality and prosperity of our local communities.Lisa Barajas, Community Development Director of the Metropolitan Council
SolSmart Criteria
Program Highlights
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
Program Highlights
The Council leads the “MN Brightfields Initiative”, is a participant and/or sponsor on the “MN Utility Energy Registry Group”, and the “MN Solar Pathways Project”