Resource Library

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

Featured

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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Webinar

SolSmart Webinar: Solar + Storage, A Guide for Local Governments

| SolSmart
The pairing of solar energy and energy storage technologies presents several opportunities of increased value for communities. This webinar provided an introduction into the topic including markets, tariffs, benefits, and interconnection agreements. It then included a deeper study of permitting considerations for communities such as safety, resources and existing challenges. Lastly, SolSmart communities with solar and storage experience are highlighted.
Webinar

SolSmart Webinar: Developing Solar on Brownfields

| SolSmart
Formerly contaminated lands can serve as potential sites for community-scale solar projects, but may include additional challenges not typical of other solar developments. This webinar discusses the advantages, disadvantages, and considerations associated with these solar photovoltaic developments, as well as showcasing projects and initiatives focused on deploying solar on formerly contaminated lands.
Webinar

SolSmart Webinar: Best Practices for Solar & Electric Bus Charging at Transit Agencies

| SolSmart
Following up on a successful webinar on local government opportunities to integrate solar photovoltaic (PV) generation and electric vehicles (EV), SolSmart presented a deeper dive conversation focused on emerging best practices for PV and electric bus charging integration at transit agencies.
Market Development
Webinar

SolSmart Webinar: Planning & Zoning Best Practices for Large-scale Solar

| SolSmart
In this webinar, we addressed best practices for planning and zoning for large-scale solar in your community. The webinar covers ways to provide maximum siting options for ground mount solar projects while preserving your community’s character and historic resources.
Report

SolSmart Issue Brief: Solar & Electrification, A Beneficial Partnership

| SolSmart, Regulatory Assistance Project
This guide explains how communities can collaborate with their utilities on programs that produce complementary benefits for solar and electrification policies.
Webinar

SolSmart Webinar: How to Develop a Solarize Campaign

| SolSmart
In this webinar, we learn the basics of a successful Solarize campaign. Experts from Solar United Neighbors and the Philadelphia Energy Authority share how a Solarize campaign can keep more economic value in the community and be modified to enable participation by low-to-moderate income customers. The webinar also features two cases studies from Alaska and Indiana.
Webinar

SolSmart Webinar: Solar & Electric Vehicle Best Practices for Local Governments

| SolSmart
This webinar addresses opportunities for local governments to promote the co-development and integration of solar PV generation and electric vehicles (EVs). Simultaneous adoption of PV and EVs in a community can present substantial benefits, particularly when policies and initiatives for PV and EVs are thoughtfully aligned.
Report

SolSmart Issue Brief: Expanding Solar Participation Through Community Solar

| SolSmart
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.
Government Operations
Webinar

SolSmart Webinar: Decision Support Tools for Local Solar Planning & Deployment

| SolSmart
These tools, largely developed by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), allow local government staff to 1) better understand their community’s solar resource potential; 2) explore the economics of developing solar and storage projects within their communities; and 3) plan and develop policy to incentivize solar.
Market Development Planning and Zoning
Report

SolSmart Issue Brief: Solar + Storage, A Guide For Local Governments

| SolSmart, Cadmus
This SolSmart Issue Brief helps local governments understand and benefit from energy storage technologies.
Market Development
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