Sustainville Blog - Office of Sustainability and Environment
Somerville Receives “SolSmart Bronze” Award for Advancing Solar Energy Growth
03/01/2018
SolSmart Designees
Somerville
Massachusetts
Population: 81,360
Designation Level:
SolSmart Gold
Year Designated:
Bronze 2016 / Gold 2017
- Created a streamlined process to approve certain solar permit applications over the counter.
- Hosted a community “Solarize” campaign, Solarize Somerville, allowing residents to benefit from group discounts and affordable solar financing.
- Installed solar PV on local facilities, totaling 120kW across three facilities including Dr. Albert F. Argenziano School, Michael E. Capuano Early Childhood Center, and Somerville High School.
- Developed feasiblity analysis or planning for resilient solar technologies for critical facilities and emergency planning such as solar and storage.
- 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
