SolSmart marks decade of free solar assistance for local governments

The SolSmart national program is marking its tenth anniversary. Launched in 2016, the initiative has focused on assisting local governments in removing barriers to solar energy adoption. According to the program’s records, it has supported over 600 local governments and regional organizations during this period.

Program Structure and Partners

The U.S. Department of Energy supports SolSmart, which operates as a technical assistance program offered at no charge. The International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) co-lead this initiative. According to Debra Perry, ICMA’s Clean Energy Program Director, the program delivers complimentary, practical assistance designed to aid dedicated local government personnel.

Research Findings on Impact

A study appearing in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that communities holding SolSmart status saw solar capacity grow by 18–19% each month, outpacing areas without the designation.

Case Study: Athens, Ohio

• Achieved Bronze designation in October 2017
• Received SolSmart Gold designation in 2023
• Became the first SolSmart Platinum community in Ohio and the fourth city in the country in 2025
• Added over 2 megawatts of solar capacity to municipal facilities

Starting with a Bronze designation in October 2017, the city advanced to Gold status in 2023. By 2025, Athens secured the highest level of recognition, becoming the first community in Ohio to achieve SolSmart Platinum status and the fourth city nationally to do so.

The city added over 2 megawatts of solar capacity to its municipal facilities.

Designation Mechanics and Broader Context

Communities participating in the initiative receive tiered recognition based on their execution of specific measures to lower obstacles, including enhancements to permitting and inspection procedures and broader dissemination of information to residents. This framework grants national visibility while yielding tangible advantages. The program functions within a context of escalating power expenses, where one-sixth of American households are currently delinquent on utility payments. SolSmart seeks to alleviate these financial pressures by assisting localities in refining policies that preserve safety and grid reliability.

Steve Patterson, the mayor of Athens, Ohio, remarked that his city was among the earliest in the nation to seek this status. He recalled, “When we first achieved Bronze designation in October 2017, we knew this was only the beginning of our residential sustainable energy story.” Patterson further indicated that the municipality continues to experience a consistent rise in solar installations and anticipates this trajectory will persist as a result of their SolSmart activities.

Debra Perry, serving as Clean Energy Program Director at ICMA, described how the program assists personnel in synchronizing local regulations with national best practices that reduce bureaucratic hurdles without compromising rigorous safety standards. She highlighted that expanding solar availability reinforces resident energy autonomy and promotes affordability. Brandy O’Quinn, the program director of local initiatives at IREC, pointed out that regulations governing permitting and inspection are critical determinants of residents’ solar accessibility. She observed that eliminating inadvertent local barriers leads to substantial outcomes.

What to watch

A virtual session led by the SolSmart team is scheduled for October 29 at 2 p.m. ET, where they will examine the 2026 SolSmart Accelerator.

Designations have been awarded to over 600 local governments across 44 states, with recipients including Fort Worth, Texas; Iowa City, Iowa; and Olympia, Washington. Brandy O’Quinn, IREC’s program director for local initiatives, stresses that these local entities are central to the nation's clean energy adoption.