Clarksville, IN

Clarksville, Indiana earned SolSmart Bronze in 2025 by reviewing and updating their zoning to address unnecessary barriers to solar PV, clarifying permitting practices, training staff in solar best practices, and making information about solar available to the public, among other achievements.

• Posted online resources about residential and commercial solar PV financing options and incentives
• Posted online resources about consumer protection and solar PV
• Posted online resources about solar installers and/or solar quote platforms for solar PV
• Posted an online solar map for your community
• Posted a solar landing page on local government’s website with information that may include the community’s solar goals, educational materials and tools that promote solar
• Posted an online checklist detailing the required permit(s), submittals, and steps of the community’s permitting process for residential rooftop solar PV
• Trained permitting staff on best practices for permitting solar PV and/or solar and storage systems
• Trained inspection staff on best practices for inspecting solar PV and/or solar and storage systems
• Reviewed zoning requirements and identify restrictions that intentionally or unintentionally prohibit solar PV development
• Presented PZ-1 memo findings to planning commission or relevant body
• Drafted proposed language for changes to zoning code based on PZ-1 memo and PZ-2 dialogue. Involve planners and/or local zoning experts and/or the public (e.g., through community-based organizations) in the creation of the draft language
• Codified in the zoning ordinance that accessory use rooftop solar PV is explicitly allowed by-right in all major zones
• Ensured the zoning ordinance permits small ground-mounted solar PV as an accessory use in at least one zoning district
• Ensured the zoning ordinance language does not include intentional or unintentional barriers to accessory use rooftop solar PV