El Paso Times
Dalbin and Pumphrey: El Paso should go SolSmart
09/24/2016
SolSmart Designees
El Paso
Texas
Population: 681,728
Designation Level:
SolSmart Gold
Year Designated:
2017
- Provided Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing for eligible properties
- Created a solar-specific landing page on the city’s website, to educate community members about solar PV
- Launched a community solar program to make solar more accessible to all community members
- Installed solar on local facilities, including a solar-paneled Aztec Calendar pavilion in Cavalry Triangle and an array on the city’s main library
- 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
