Resource Library

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

Filter Resources

Filter resources by topic and/or resource type below, or type in a search for a specific term.

Criteria for Community Engagement:
Criteria for Government Operations:
Criteria for Market Development:
Criteria for Permitting and Inspection:
Criteria for Planning and Zoning:
Reset Filters
Report

Handbook on Siting Renewable Energy Projects While Addressing Environmental Issues

| U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
This handbook provides tools to help interested parties determine the overall feasibility of siting renewable energy production and some key considerations for integrating renewable energy development during all phases of typical cleanup processes (e.g., during the environmental assessment, cleanup plan, or cleanup implementation) in the EPA Superfund, Brownfields, and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action programs.
Planning and Zoning
Report

Solar Briefing Papers: Recycling Land for Solar Energy Development

| American Planning Association
A paper detailing how local officials and citizens can utilize vacant properties for solar energy development. Topics include community roles in the solar development process, identifying potential sites, and assessing site constraints.
Planning and Zoning
Report

Solar Briefing Papers: Integrating Solar Energy into Local Government Regulations (“Creating Incentives”)

| American Planning Association
This paper covers local development regulation topics such as removing barriers, creative, incentives, and enacting standards in order to encourage solar development.
Planning and Zoning
Report

Implementing Solar PV Projects on Historic Buildings and in Historic Districts

| National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
This report details topics such as the balancing of solar and historic preservation as well as the implementation of solar in historic properties/districts.

Solar Briefing Papers: Integrating Solar Energy into Local Plans

| American Planning Association
This paper provides planners, public officials, and engaged citizens with an overview of established and emerging approaches to integrating references to solar energy into local plans.
Report

Renewable Energy Ordinance Framework: Solar PV

| Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission
This is a framework for municipalities to utilize as they develop and update zoning ordinances to govern the siting of small-scale solar PV energy systems in their community.
Website
Criteria: PI-16 (Standard Pathway)

Fire Safety and Solar

| Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)
A webpage detailing three types of solar fire safety concerns and firefighter safety resources.
Permitting and Inspection
Report

Firefighter Safety and Emergency Response for Solar Power Systems

| Fire Protection Research Foundation
This study focuses on structural fire fighting in buildings and structures involving solar power systems utilizing solar panels that generate thermal and/or electrical energy, with a particular focus on solar photovoltaic panels used for electric power generation.
Template

New York State Unified Solar Permit

| New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
This permit is utilized in the state of New York (among municipal authorities that adopt it) to streamline a jurisdiction’s solar permitting process for eligible installations.
Template

Electrical Permit Application for Roof-Mounted Solar PV Systems Only

| City and County of San Francisco, California
Example of a roof-mounted solar PV permit application.