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SolSmart Designees
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma
In 2017, Oklahoma City only issued one permit for residential solar. Yet local officials saw untapped potential for solar energy in Oklahoma’s largest metro area, and they worked with SolSmart to achieve Bronze designation that year as a stepping stone to future growth.
Their predictions were well founded: Recent years have seen a surge of interest in solar from Oklahoma City residents. The city issued 54 residential electrical permits for solar in 2019, 160 in 2020, and 154 so far in 2021. “We want people to have access to energy choice wherever they may live in our city,” says T.O. Bowman, Program Planner in the Office of Sustainability.
- 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
SolSmart helped us make it easier for people to take advantage of solar energy opportunities in Oklahoma City. Solar energy is booming, not only as a technology with benefits for our residents and businesses but as a key employment industry. It’s an important part of our future as an adaptive and resilient community.
- T.O. Bowman, Oklahoma City Sustainability Manager
