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SolSmart Designees
Boulder County
Colorado
- Integrated solar into local sustainability plan, including quantifiable metrics and specific actions

- 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
- Installed solar on local facilities (more than 900kW of solar panels on county buildings since 2008)
We encourage other communities to use SolSmart to streamline their processes for advancing the solar energy aspirations of its citizens. Together as local governments, we can take a leadership role in addressing a changing climate.
- Susie Strife, Boulder County Sustainability Coordinator