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SolSmart Designees
Jefferson County
Colorado
- Created a streamlined process to approve certain solar permit applications over the counter
- Provided an online process for scheduling and responding to inspection requests
- Installed solar on local facilities including the Jefferson County Human Services Building
- Provided Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing for solar PV
- 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
Jefferson County continues to provide streamlined processes for solar PV permitting and inspections. Solar permits issued by the county in 2018 were up nearly 20% since receiving the SolSmart Gold designation in 2017, the second-most permits issued in a single year by the county.
- Jabez Meulemans, Jefferson County Sustainability Coordinator
