Hennepin County

Hennepin County, Minnesota earned SolSmart Silver in 2025 by adopting numerous solar-friendly measures and removing barriers to the deployment of solar PV. That included increasing public access to information about solar, installing solar on county-owned property, working to engage local governments in the SolSmart program, and more!

• Posted online resources about solar installers and/or solar quote platforms for solar PV.
• Posted online resources about residential and commercial solar PV financing options and incentives.
• Conducted feasibility analysis for solar PV on public facilities and/or publicly controlled land.
• Installed solar PV for direct use by the county or county-run program or service.
• Provided a PACE financing program that includes solar PV as an eligible technology.
• Included specific solar PV goals, metrics, and strategies in the most current version of relevant county plans (e.g., energy plan, climate plan, comprehensive plan).
• Included solar PV progress towards achieving targets in the most current published version of relevant local plans (e.g., energy plan, climate plan, comprehensive plan).
• Posted a solar landing page on the county website w/ information that may include the county’s solar goals, educational materials and tools that promote solar, and resources for solar development (e.g. permitting checklist, etc.).
• Hosted countywide training for planning and zoning staff on best practices in planning and zoning for solar PV.
• Hosted countywide training on best practices for permitting solar PV and/or solar and storage systems.
• Hosted countywide training on best practices for inspecting solar PV and/or solar and storage systems.
• Engaged new communities in the county to participate in SolSmart & submit a Solar Statement. Potential designees are municipalities that are part of the county & have the jurisdiction required to achieve SolSmart designation.