Resource Library

Browse the SolSmart resource library to find reports, webinars, and online templates, or search for a resource by category.

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SolSmart Program Guides (2023)

| By SolSmart
The SolSmart program guides are comprehensive resources for local governments with information on the SolSmart designation and technical assistance process. Participants should download the program guide that corresponds to their designation pathway.
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Solar Energy Toolkit: Resiliency: Solar + Storage

| SolSmart
INTEGRATING SOLAR INTO CITYWIDE EMERGENCY PLANNING A Case Study from the Bay Area

The City and County of San Francisco…

Brochure

Moving from Silver to Gold Designation with SolarAPP+

| SolSmart
Utilization of the SolarAPP+ tool can streamline the SolSmart designation process and provide a significant number of required credits, particularly in the Permitting and Inspection (PI) category.
Permitting and Inspection
Brochure

Moving from SolarAPP+ to SolSmart Bronze Designation

| SolSmart
Utilization of the SolarAPP+ tool can streamline the SolSmart designation process and provide a significant number of required credits, particularly in the Permitting and Inspection (PI) category.
Permitting and Inspection
Website

National Simplified Residential PV and Energy Storage Permit Guidelines (html)

| By Brooks Engineering, Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), Sustainable Energy Action Committee (SEAC)
Permitting is one of the biggest challenges to solar growth at the local level. Across the 18,000 local jurisdictions in the U.S., the solar permitting process differs greatly and is often expensive, time-consuming, and outdated. By implementing a streamlined and more standardized permitting process, local governments can make installing solar faster, easier, and more affordable for their staff, local residents, businesses, and solar companies.
Report

National Simplified Residential PV and Energy Storage Permit Guidelines (PDF)

| Brooks Engineering, Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), Sustainable Energy Action Committee (SEAC)
Permitting is one of the biggest challenges to solar growth at the local level. Across the 18,000 local jurisdictions in the U.S., the solar permitting process differs greatly and is often expensive, time-consuming, and outdated. By implementing a streamlined and more standardized permitting process, local governments can make installing solar faster, easier, and more affordable for their staff, local residents, businesses, and solar companies.
Brochure

SolSmart Regional Organization Pathway Flyer

| SolSmart
Involvement of regional organizations in the SolSmart program provides several advantages in the capacity they offer to the communities they serve. SolSmart’s “Regional Organization Pathway” is the set of criteria that regional organizations must complete to achieve designation and develop a solar-friendly region.
Community Engagement Government Operations Market Development Permitting and Inspection Planning and Zoning
Brochure

Automated Permitting and SolSmart Designation

| SolSmart
Automated solutions for permitting solar PV and storage systems are an emerging best practice for local governments to streamline, and improve the accuracy, of permitting and inspections.
Permitting and Inspection
Report

Solar United Neighbors’ Solar Owner’s Manual – Spanish

| Solar United Neighbors
Esta guía sirve de apoyo a los propietarios de viviendas con energía solar, tanto si acaban de adquirirla como si la tienen desde hace años.
Report

Solar United Neighbors’ Solar Owner’s Manual – English

| Solar United Neighbors
This guide serves as a support for solar homeowners whether you’ve just gone solar or you’ve had solar for years.
Report

SolSmart Issue Brief: Solar and Resiliency, Integrative Financing Strategies for Solsmart Communities

| SolSmart, Regulatory Assistance Project
The purpose of this brief is to provide existing and potential SolSmart communities with an approach for expanding solar and resiliency project financing options by integrating their solar energy goals with their community resiliency goals.
Solar panels in a green field under a blue sky.

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