Harrisonburg, VA

The City of Harrisonburg, Virginia undertook a number of exciting initiatives to achieve SolSmart Silver designation, including supporting a community-wide group purchase program, streamlining permitting and inspection, updating zoning, and more.

• Created an online permitting checklist, increasing transparency for community members and solar installers
• Reviewed local zoning codes and identified restrictions that intentionally or unintentionally prohibit solar PV development
• Allowed solar by-right accessory use in all zones (so solar installations don’t require special permits or hearings)
• Cross-trained both inspection and permitting staff on solar PV
• Provided a streamlined permitting pathway for small PV systems
• Installed solar PV on local government facilities and/or local government-controlled land
• Posted a solar landing page on the local government’s website with information that includes the community’s solar goals, educational materials and tools that promote solar
• Supported a community-wide group purchase program (e.g., Solarize)
• Provided local incentives or locally-enabled finance (e.g. a revolving loan fund) for solar PV and/or solar PV + technologies (e.g., battery storage and/or electric vehicle charging)
• Supported a community solar program