CARPC Earns National Recognition for Promoting Solar Energy at the Local Level
CARPC Press Release
To earn SolSmart Bronze designation, the Capital Area Regional Planning Commission (located in and around Madison, Wisconsin) worked hard to connect local governments with resources to expand solar access in their communities, increased access to information about solar energy for residents, and incorporated solar PV into regional planning documents, among other achievements!
- 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 including an inventory of local incentives or locally‐enabled finance (e.g., a revolving loan fund) for solar PV provided by member communities.
- Posted online resources about consumer protection and solar PV
- Posted an online summary of state policies related to a property owners solar access and solar rights, including links to state‐level policy
- Posted an online solar map for the region
- Demonstrated regional organization support for local solar strategies through speeches, press releases, opinion articles, etc.
- Reviewed existing regional planning documents and identified new opportunities (not already included) to integrate solar PV and solar PV integrated with other technologies such as battery storage, or electric vehicle charging into planning goals.
- Include specific solar PV goals, metrics, and strategies in the most current version of relevant regional plans (e.g., energy plan, climate plan, comprehensive plan)
- Shared solar PV progress towards achieving targets or metrics on the solar landing page
- Posted a solar landing page on the regional organization’s website with information that may include the region’s solar goals, educational materials and tools that promote solar, and resources for solar development
- Hosted regional training for planning, zoning, permitting, and inspection staff from communities and counties in the region on best practices in planning and zoning for solar PV.
When communities adopt SolSmart practices, it becomes faster, easier, and more affordable to install solar energy systems…Teamwork makes the dream work, which is why CARPC, the Dane County Office of Energy and Climate Change and communities have been working together to make local renewable energy available throughout the region.
– Caitlin Shanahan, CARPC Senior Community Planner and Outreach Coordinator
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