In the battle to grow solar energy adoption, the SolSmart program is on the frontlines, focusing on local-level inefficiencies. Municipalities and jurisdictions that follow its guidelines (stuff like streamlining permitting and easing zoning restrictions) have made huge strides in organically growing their solar industries. That’s why it’s encouraging to hear thatRead More

We hype solar technology innovation often as the path forward to a renewable energy future, but the technology we have is already pretty awesome. The bigger opportunity to grow solar is now in small-scale local progress — cutting permitting red tape and normalizing solar systems within the zeitgeist. We arguedRead More

Eight Southwest Virginia communities have achieved designation under the national SolSmart program for encouraging the growth of local solar energy markets, at a time when several major solar installations on schools, businesses, and community centers are poised to begin across the region. These communities were each awarded a SolSmart designationRead More

In our cover feature for Sept/Oct, we look at the inefficiencies in local permitting and interconnection processes that are holding back solar energy adoption in pockets across the country. Check out the full feature here. On the flip side of the issues noted are communities making an effort to reviseRead More

Lee’s Summit, Missouri, was designated as SolSmart Gold, marking the 200th local government nationwide to be recognized under the SolSmart program, which provides no-cost technical assistance to help communities make it faster, easier, and more affordable to go solar. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies OfficeRead More

The case for solar varies wildly from region to region, and a lot of the reason for that involves red tape. Fifty-eight communities in 25 states have now achieved designation under SolSmart, a national program that recognizes cities and counties for lowering barriers to solar energy development. Representing more thanRead More

Seven new communities were recognized by SolSmart as national leaders for cutting red tape and making solar energy more affordable and accessible. “Today, we are recognizing these communities for removing barriers to solar energy development and lowering costs for homes and businesses,” said Andrea Luecke, President and Executive Director atRead More

The true power of the solar industry is in the individual. Instead of waiting for someone on high to deliver the right solutons to the masses, the masses can seek out their own solutions. Organizations like SolSmart try to further this empowerment at the local level. Funded by the U.S.Read More

The International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and The Solar Foundation (TSF) just launched a new designation program that will recognize leading solar cities and counties as well as empower new communities to advance through no-cost technical assistance. A core component of the technical assistance program — named SolSmart — areRead More