NASEO a proud partner of SolSmart, a national program that helps local governments and regional organizations become solar energy leaders. SolSmart provides no-cost technical assistance to help jurisdictions increase their knowledge, meet community challenges, and achieve solar energy goals. Since 2016, hundreds of local governments across the country have achieved SolSmart designation for meeting national best practices to grow local solar energy markets.
SolSmart is led by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). It is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office. NASEO encourages State Energy Offices to join SolSmart as state partners and recruit cities and counties to apply for SolSmart designation and explore ways to integrate SolSmart into their planned or existing programs.
SolSmart has announced a new Platinum designation to recognize local governments with exceptional solar energy achievements, in addition to the Gold, Silver, and Bronze designation levels. SolSmart encourages local governments to streamline permitting requirements, review planning and zoning rules, track solar energy metrics, and work with community organizations to meet equity goals, among other actions to advance solar energy growth. As part of the federal Justice40 initiative, SolSmart is committed to ensuring that every local government is able to participate in the program, including communities that are underserved.