DOE-Funded SolSmart Program Expands to Advance Equitable Solar Energy Adoption
DOE-Funded SolSmart Program Expands to Advance Equitable Solar Energy Adoption
SolSmart Program Aims to Help Another 500 Cities, Towns, Counties, and Regional Organizations Become Solar Energy Leaders
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced an expansion of its SolSmart program to support and recognize local governments across the country who are taking steps to reduce barriers to solar energy access. The expanded program adds a new Platinum-level designation level for the most forward-looking communities, establishes new priorities around support for disadvantaged communities, and sets a goal of designating a total of 1,000 communities by 2027 in support of the Biden administration's goal of a clean electricity grid by 2035. The program has also extended its designation criteria to include solar plus battery storage, codes and standards, innovative financing, and data collection and metrics.
"Local governments across the country are looking to solar power to cut energy costs and transform their energy futures," said Alejandro Moreno, acting assistant secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. "This is why the SolSmart program is so important. It reduces barriers to solar energy by giving communities the tools to equitably deploy solar and enjoy the many benefits including household savings, job creation, resilience, and more."
"Through the once in-a-generation funding for municipalities provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, municipal leaders are playing a critical role in leading our nation toward a clean energy future, an essential part of addressing climate change," NLC CEO and Executive Director Clarence E. Anthony said. “NLC is committed to actively supporting cities, towns, and villages in the equitable installation of local, distributed renewable energy."
Launched in 2016, the SolSmart program offers expert technical assistance at no cost to help local governments adopt nationally recognized best practices to advance solar energy adoption. Since its inception, SolSmart has helped hundreds of local governments and their residents save time and money by reducing the soft costs of going solar which span five criteria categories including permitting and inspection, planning and zoning, government operations, community engagement, and market development.