
SolSmart in Music City, U.S.A.
The city of Nashville, Tennessee, is typically known as an attraction for its live music, but last week, it was the destination for all things local government. The 2019 International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Annual Conference drew thousands of local government officials from across the country to the Music City Convention Center for four days of education, information sharing, and networking.
SolSmart, which is co-led by ICMA, joined the annual conversation to share how local governments have the power to make it faster, easier, and more affordable for their residents and local businesses to install solar. In addition to attending and exhibiting, SolSmart hosted an educational session titled Planning and Promoting Solar Energy, and an Awards and Community reception.
The education session was led by SolSmart technical assistance provider Kalee Whitehouse and explored how local governments can set solar development goals, address “solar-ready” concepts, encourage commercial and residential solar participation, and capture benefits of solar development while minimizing risks. The Awards and Community reception convened officials from SolSmart-designated communities and presented the 2019 Special Recognition Awards to communities that earned at least 60 percent of their total points available in one of the eight SolSmart categories. The 2019 awardees included: Berkeley, CA; Bloomington, MN; Missoula County, MT; Chatham County, NC; Pepperell, MA; Miramar, FL, and many more.
The 2019 ICMA Annual Conference made clear that local governments are recognizing the power of solar energy. More and more local governments are taking action to encourage the growth of solar and compatible technologies like battery storage, while removing barriers to solar market development. Whether it’s to help cut electricity costs, become more energy independent, reduce carbon emissions, or spur economic development and create jobs, local governments are ensuring their communities can reap the benefits of a solar-powered future.
The full list of 2019 Special Recognition awardees are listed below:
Berkeley, CA – Permitting; Inspection; Construction Codes; Market Development
Brighton, CO – Permitting
Durango, CO – Permitting
Edina, MN – Permitting; Inspection
Elkhart County, IN – Permitting; Inspection
Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Permitting; Inspection
Marshall County, IN – Permitting; Inspection
Miami Beach, FL – Permitting
Missoula County, MT – Permitting; Utility Engagement; Community Engagement; Market Development
Plymouth, IN – Permitting; Inspection
Pompano Beach, FL – Permitting
Rockford, IL – Permitting; Inspection; Community Engagement
San Francisco, CA – Permitting; Construction Codes; Market Development
Superior, CO – Permitting
Tamarac, FL – Permitting; Inspection
Torrance, CA – Permitting
Village of Lake in the Hills, IL – Permitting; Inspection
Albuquerque, NM – Solar Rights
Anchorage, AK – Inspection
Austin, TX – Inspections; Market Development
Blacksburg, VA – Solar Rights
Bloomington, MN – Inspection
Breckenridge, CO – Inspection
Carson, CA – Inspection
Chatham County, NC – Inspection
Deerfield Beach, FL – Inspection
Durham, NC – Inspection
El Segundo, CA – Inspection
Fairfax County, VA – Inspection
Fitchburg, WI – Inspection
Hoffman Estates, IL – Inspection
Lake County, IL – Inspection
Lansdowne, PA – Inspection
Las Cruces, NM – Inspection
Lincoln, NE – Inspection
Loudoun County, VA – Inspection
Manhattan Beach, CA – Inspection
Miami Lakes, FL – Inspection
Miami Shores Village, FL – Inspection
Miramar, FL – Inspection
Montgomery, IL – Inspection
Pepperell, MA – Inspections
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA – Inspection
Roseville, MN – Inspection
San Jose, CA – Inspection
Sarasota, FL – Utility Engagement
St. Louis Park, MN – Inspection
Village of Bartlett, IL – Inspection
Warrenville, IL – Inspection
Wellesley, MA – Inspection
Woodridge, IL – Inspection