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SolSmart Designees
Denver
Colorado
Population: 727,211
Designation Level:
SolSmart Gold
Year Designated:
Bronze 2016 / Gold 2017
- Integrated solar energy into Denver’s Climate Action Plan
- Worked with nonprofit Grid Alternatives to make solar more accessible low-to-moderate income community members
- Organized an active energy task force called “Energize” Denver that met regularly to evaluate building efficiency and energy programs and policies, including how to implement strategies laid out in Denver’s new Climate Action Plan
- 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
Denver is proud to be a national solar leader, and we look forward to building on our achievements as one of the nation’s first participants in the SolSmart program. Going solar — saving money, energy and the environment — in Denver should be accessible to every community and every household, and with this partnership we will help to make that a reality.
- Michael B. Hancock, Mayor
