We invite you to join the SolSmart program or to “level up,” if your community has already earned SolSmart designation. SolSmart is a national program that helps local governments 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. The national SolSmart program plans to bring at least 500 new local governments into the program in the coming years. As shown in the graph, Illinois currently leads the nation with 59 SolSmart designees!
The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus is a proud partner of SolSmart, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office. We are excited to share the program’s recent announcement about a new SolSmart Platinum designation to recognize local governments with cutting-edge achievements in solar energy, in addition to SolSmart designation at the Gold, Silver, or Bronze levels.
Illinois has the most SolSmart designated communities in the nation. | Graphic by Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, data from SolSmart in March 2023
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.
Caucus’ SolSmart Work
During the past several years, the Caucus has coached 45 communities to help them achieve SolSmart designation. Fourteen other Illinois local governments received SolSmart designation independently. We congratulate the 59 SolSmart communities in Illinois! (A complete list is available on the Caucus’ SolSmart webpage). We hope that our state continues to “shine” in SolSmart program designations!
Although the Caucus is no longer serving as a SolSmart Advisor, we have put together resources to help you achieve SolSmart designation on our SolSmart Solo webpage.
Join the SolSmart Program
Interested in joining the SolSmart program? Every city, town, county, and regional organization in the U.S. is eligible to join SolSmart. If you are already a SolSmart designee, we invite you to “level up” to Silver, Gold or Platinum designation! Contact SolSmart to get started today at: https://solsmart.org/join-solsmart
About SolSmart
SolSmart is led by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), along with a team of partner organizations with expertise in solar energy and local government.
