Montgomery County, MD

Montgomery County has set the aggressive goal of 100 percent greenhouse gas reductions by 2035, and solar deployment will be key to reaching that goal. The county has incorporated more than 7 MW of solar at government buildings, including microgrid projects at the public services headquarters and a correctional facility. Plans are in the works for major solar projects on a decommissioned landfill and a next-generation bus depot. The county has a Solarize campaign underway that incorporates both solar and EV charging, and its green bank programs offer financing options for residents, businesses, and nonprofits. In 2025, Montgomery County became the first local government in Maryland to earn SolSmart Platinum designation, in recognition of the county’s enduring commitment to solar access.

• 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
• Created a streamlined process to approve certain solar permit applications over the counter
• Established partnerships w/ local community-based orgs or other orgs focused on serving the community to define your solar goals, develop implementation strategies, & establish a plan for tracking & reporting
• Installed solar on government-owned facilities or lands
• 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
• Demonstrated pathway for instant/automatic approval of residential rooftop solar PV systems (e.g., using SolarAPP+)
• Posted community metrics related to the number of solar PV and solar + storage permits & inspections processed by the community annually, average annual permitting & inspection timelines