Recorded Trainings
SolSmart offers free trainings in permitting, inspection, zoning, and other topics related to solar best practices. You can find links to upcoming trainings and in-person events here. Below, you can find recorded webinars that can be viewed anytime, anywhere, to make sure you’re up to speed on your solar knowledge.
This page includes sessions on the following:
Click on one of the topics above to skip to that section.
Planning and Zoning
A local government’s approach to zoning and development can have a significant impact on solar energy growth. The inclusion of solar energy planning and zoning best practices provides a foundation that can help facilitate the growth of solar energy, while balancing other development priorities in a community. This free training provides communities with strategies for incorporating solar into plans, ordinances, and development regulations.
Speakers include:
- Brian Ross, Vice President, Renewable Energy, Great Plains Institute (GPI)
- Sarah Yeager, Senior Program Manager – Clean Energy, ICMA
Viewing this webinar satisfies the requirement for SolSmart criteria PZ-18 (Standard Pathway): Train planning and zoning staff on best practices in planning and zoning for solar PV. Training must have occurred in the past two years.
Permitting and Inspection
This SolSmart webinar goes over general best practices for permitting and inspecting solar PV in your community. The permitting and inspection process is one of the most important tools local governments can use to encourage more rooftop solar installations, and this free training offers strategies for streamlining permitting processes and improving solar inspections while maintaining safety. Learn more at SolSmart.org.
Speakers include:
- Sarah Yeager, Senior Program Manager – Clean Energy, International City/County Management Association (ICMA)
- Jeff Cook, Renewable Energy Policy and Market Analyst, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
- Sertaç Akar, Energy Analyst, NREL
Viewing this webinar satisfied the requirement for SolSmart criteria PI-2 (Standard Pathway): Train permitting staff on best practices for permitting solar PV and/or solar and storage systems. Training must have occurred in the past two years. It also satisfies the requirement for PI-3 (Standard Pathway): Train inspection staff on best practices for inspecting solar PV and/or solar and storage systems. (Both criteria required for Silver)
Leveling Up Your SolSmart Designation
In this webinar for current SolSmart designees, SolSmart program staff discuss how leveling up in the program can help local governments access the benefits of federal and private investment in solar power, and prepare for the growth of this energy source in their community. Speakers discuss benefits of leveling up, what the level-up process involves, and how the U.S. solar energy landscape has changed in recent years. View the webinar at the link above, and then click here to begin the level-up process.
Speakers include:
- Deb Perry, Clean Energy Program Director, International City/County Management Association (ICMA)
- Sarah Yeager, Senior Program Manager – Clean Energy, ICMA
Agrivoltaics—Solar and Farmland Have Mutual Benefits
In “Agrivoltaics: Solar and Farmland Have Mutual Benefits,” zoning expert Brian Ross from the Great Plains Institute provides an overview of best practices and common solutions around planning, zoning, and incentives for agrivoltaics and large-scale solar.
Speakers include:
- Brian Ross, Vice President, Renewable Energy, Great Plains Institute (GPI)
- Brandy O’Quinn, Program Director—SolSmart, Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC)
- Zack Loehle, Communications Manager, Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC)
Looking for more trainings? Visit the SolSmart Resources page to access additional webinar recordings, guides, technical reports, and more.
