San Miguel County

San Miguel County completed a site analysis on using solar energy at county buildings using expertise and resources from SolSmart. The county is now on target for on-site, grid-tied solar PV to supply half of the electricity at its facilities by the end of 2021. Battery storage storage will also provide resiliency for 911 dispatch and an emergency operations center. To make access to solar energy even more easy and affordable for all, the county also collaborated with the San Miguel Power Association and other local and state partners to launch an innovative community solar project on a former county landfill site.

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Transforming Brownfields to “Brightfields” with Solar

• 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