Rooftop solar panels next to a chimney. Green trees and other rooftops appear in the background.

Introducing SolSmart

Since 2016, SolSmart has helped cities, towns, counties and regional organizations become solar energy leaders. 

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Why Join? The Technical Assistance Process Program History How to Apply

With the help of the SolSmart technical assistance team, local governments are deploying solar energy and spurring economic development.

From 2016 to 2025 SolSmart was 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.

The SolSmart program has two key parts. First, the program provides no-cost technical assistance to help local governments follow national best practices to expand solar energy use in their jurisdictions. Second, it recognizes and celebrates these communities with SolSmart designations of Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze.

To date, over 600 local governments in 45 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico have achieved SolSmart designation, representing 1 in 3 Americans.

Want more info? Read below, or download an overview here.

Why Join SolSmart?

Here are some of the advantages of becoming a SolSmart community:

SolSmart Technical Assistance

SolSmart’s technical assistance team includes partner organizations with expertise on solar energy and local government. At this time, SolSmart is not able to offer technical assistance to communities. 

SolSmart continues to offer an extensive resource library which includes toolkits, training presentations, webinars, and other reports to help meet a community’s needs. 

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SolSmart designees are in 45 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.

Over 600 communities have received SolSmart designation.

1 in 3 Americans live in a SolSmart-designated community.

SolSmart Designation

A SolSmart designation provides official recognition that the local government has made a commitment to solar energy and removed obstacles to growth. For companies looking to move into the area, it’s a sign that the community is “open for solar business.”

SolSmart designees range from the nation’s largest cities to small towns, rural counties, suburbs, and regional organizations. To learn more, view our map and click on any SolSmart designee to learn about SolSmart designees and their accomplishments.

View Our Designees View Designation Criteria

SolSmart Success Stories:

No matter where they are located, local governments and regional organizations can make a pivotal difference in helping solar energy thrive. For example:

SolSmart’s Past and Future

The SolSmart program launched in 2016 with an initial grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. An important goal of the program is to reduce solar “soft costs,” the non-hardware costs that include permitting, financing, and installing solar. These costs make up about two-thirds of the cost of a solar installation. Actions that local governments take can significantly reduce soft costs and encourage nationwide solar energy growth.

SolSmart designees include the nation’s largest cities as well as small towns, suburbs, rural counties, and regional organizations. These include over 50 communities in the Chicago metro area that worked together to achieve regional goals; rural communities in Southwest Virginia in transition from a coal mining economy; a regional organization expanding solar in central Pennsylvania; Puerto Rico communities meeting local resilience goals; and many, many more.

In 2023, SolSmart released updated designation criteria with added emphasis on national codes and standards, innovative financing, data collection and metrics, and battery storage, among other areas. SolSmart also announced a new Platinum designation to recognize local governments with exceptional achievements. The expanded SolSmart program aims to further streamline solar deployment.

As of January 2026, the SolSmart Program no longer has funding and is not able to offer assistance to communities.  

Four photos of various communities holding their SolSmart designation plaques.
Solar panels in a green field under a blue sky.

Ready to Become SolSmart?
Join Us Today.

How To Apply