Resource Library

This SolSmart webinar serves as an educational resource for local governments interested in better understanding market barriers and expanding solar and energy efficiency deployment in low to moderate income (LMI) communities.

This SolSmart Issue Brief describes the community solar model and highlights approaches for developing new projects. It discusses why community solar can be beneficial, the ingredients of successful programs, and case studies of successful community solar programs across the country.

This SolSmart webinar describes the community solar concept and the various models employed to implement it. It also discusses the enabling regulatory and legislative conditions that are key to deployment, and presents several case studies that can be emulated by other communities.

In this SolSmart webinar, panelists discuss case studies of how regional organizations promote and help implement effective local solar policies. Panelists also examine SolSmart’s new Regional Organization Pathway, which supports regional solar efforts through the provision of no-cost technical assistance.

For local governments, using low-cost solar power can make electrification policies more cost-effective — and using electrified services wisely can make solar installations more valuable. This SolSmart webinar provides several case studies that demonstrate what some local governments are doing now to collaborate with their utilities on programs that produce complementary benefits for solar and electrification policies.

This webinar addresses best practices for including solar in land use plans and your community’s zoning ordinance. Learn how local governments can 1) Set solar development goals; 2) Ensure solar farm development creates agricultural, environmental, and water quality co-benefits; 3) Address “solar-ready” concepts in their zoning ordinances; 4) Capture benefits of solar development while minimizing risks; 5) Provide maximum siting options for rooftop and ground mount solar while preserving a community’s character and historic resources; and 6) Include solar in local planning documents.

Session 2 continues to discuss simplified solar PV permitting guidelines and ways to improve permit review for small solar systems.

Session 1 talks about simplified solar PV permitting guidelines and ways to improve permit review for small solar systems.

This map showcases Adams County, Colorado’s database of building permits, including solar related permits.

This guide outlines two potential paths to enable greater solar access for renters and multifamily residents, and low-to-moderate income communities: on-site shared solar and off-site/remote shared solar.