SolSmart
SolSmart is a national program that helps cities, towns, counties and regional organizations become solar energy ready
Sections
SolSmart is a national program that helps cities, towns, counties and regional organizations become solar energy ready!
A primary goal of SolSmart is to reduce solar “soft costs,” the non-hardware costs that include permitting, financing and installation. These costs make up about two-thirds of the cost of a solar installation. Actions that local governments take can significantly reduce soft costs to encourage solar market growth at the local level.
Interested in getting started? You can contact SolSmart directly at their website or reach out to a member of NACo's team at SolSmart@naco.org.
About
SolSmart helps local governments by providing:
- No-cost technical assistance to expand solar energy use in their jurisdictions; and
- Official recognition for solar achievements, through a SolSmart designation of Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Bronze
By participating in the program, counties will follow national solar best practices that will lead to streamlined and efficient administrative processes, a diversified energy market and lower energy costs. More than 60 counties are participating and have received a SolSmart designation.
NACo is a proud partner of SolSmart, and we look forward to supporting county governments looking to advance solar energy in their jurisdictions.
SolSmart is co-led by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office.
For more information, visit Energy-Ready.org.
Advocacy
Open for Solar Business
Counties across the country are now "open for solar business" thanks to the Department of Energy-funded SolSmart program.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announces actions to combat PFAS contamination
On April 28, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a new suite of upcoming actions to address contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These measures, outlined by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, aim to strengthen scientific understanding, enhance enforcement and build partnerships with impacted communities, including counties and other local governments.
NACo testifies before Congress on brownfields revitalization
On May 7, Oswego County, N.Y. Clerk Terry Wilbur testified on behalf of NACo before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment at a hearing titled “Cleaning Up the Past, Building the Future: The Brownfields Program”.
Podcast: Life after coal for one county
Commissioner Melody Villard and Economic Recovery Corps Fellow Sasha Nelson discuss the transition Moffat County, Colo. planned to diversify its economy after the closure of coal mines and a power plant decimated its property tax revenue.
For counties facing coal-fired power plant closures, learn from Lewis County, Wash.
Lewis County, Wash. Commissioner Sean Swope grew up in the county and over the past two years, he dove into economic diversification as a member of NACo’s BRECC Commitment Coalition. Below is a Q&A with him on the subject.
This land is mine land: Reclaiming and repurposing left-behind equipment and grounds
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Young voices fuel coal county transformations
Rural counties are working with their youth to create economic diversification plans and build a community that young people want to stay in.
New BRECC Toolkit: Coal Communities’ Pathways for Economic Diversification
Join the BRECC National Network to learn how coal counties are diversifying their economies through increasing housing supply, providing innovative workforce development opportunities and revitalizing downtowns.
Interim Financial Conflict of Interest Policy
NACo upholds an up-to-date, written and enforced Financial and Organizational Conflict of Interest Policy and Management Plan. This document can be accessed here.