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Somerville City Hall
Somerville MA
Designation Level: SolSmart Gold
Special Awards Earned In: Permitting and Inspection
In The News
Technical Assistance Organization
- 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
- Created a streamlined process to approve certain solar permit applications over the counter
- Hosted a community “Solarize” campaign, Solarize Somerville, allowing residents to benefit from group discounts and affordable solar financing
- Installed solar PV on local facilities, totaling 120kW across three facilities including Dr. Albert F. Argenziano School, Michael E. Capuano Early Childhood Center, and Somerville High School
- Developed feasiblity analysis or planning for resilient solar technologies for critical facilities and emergency planning such as solar and storage