SolSmart is happy to announce new communities ready to host the second round of SolSmart Advisors, experienced professionals who will aid these communities in reducing costs and facilitating the growth of solar energy.

Working in the communities for approximately six months, SolSmart Advisors provide no-cost, hands-on technical assistance in communities that are selected through a competitive process based on their potential to benefit from the Advisors’ assistance.

Through their experience in public policy, energy consulting, or local government, and after completing training in Washington, D.C., the Advisors work full-time with cities and counties to help them implement changes that will open their communities for solar business.

We announced the first round of Advisors in January serving 11 communities, and these Advisors are now close to completing their work. The cities and counties they work in are now well on their way to achieving SolSmart designation, and several will be announced in the coming weeks.

The second round will include not only individual Advisors, but also organizations that will provide technical assistance on a team basis.

The organizations serving as Advisors include:

Sustainable CUNY

Serving between eight and ten communities throughout New York State, including Clifton Park, Erie County, Huntington, North Hempstead, Warwick (town), and Warwick (village).

Great Plains Institute

Serving Minnesota communities including Stearns County, Pine City, Chisago County, Hutchinson, Austin, St. Francis, Grand Rapids, and Rochester; and the Iowa communities Linn County and Cedar Rapids.

Spark Northwest (formerly Northwest SEED)

Serving Washington State communities including Bellevue, Edmonds, Mercer Island, Langley, Issaquah, and King County.

COSEIA

Serving approximately ten individual local governments in Colorado.

CT Green Bank

Serving Connecticut communities including Coventry, Fairfield, Hamden, Hartford, Middletown, and Stratford.

Montana Renewable Energy Association

Serving Montana communities including Missoula (city), Missoula County, Bozeman, Whitefish, and Helena.

Metropolitan Mayor’s Caucus

Including approximately one dozen local governments in the metropolitan Chicago area.

Midwest Renewable Energy Association

Including the following Wisconsin communities: Ashland City, Bayfield, Ashland County, Bayfield County, Eau Claire, and Wisconsin Rapids; and Johnson County, Iowa.

Mid-America Regional Council

Serving at least ten individual local governments in Missouri and Kansas.

North Central Texas Council of Governments

Including the following Texas communities: Cedar Hill, Denton, and Kennedale.

These communities or groups of communities are receiving individual advisors:

South Florida Communities

Including Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Lantana, and Delray Beach.

Northern Middlesex Council of Governments

Including the following Massachusetts communities: Chelmsford, Dracut, Lowell, Pepperell, Tewksbury, and Tyngsborough.

Southeast Ohio Public Energy Council

Including the following Ohio communities: Athens, Somerset, Amesville, and Athens County.

Northern Virginia Regional Commission

Including the following Virginia communities: Fairfax (city), Alexandria, and Arlington County.