Roanoke Valley-Allegheny Regional Commission, VA

The Roanoke Valley-Allegheny Council of Governments earned SolSmart Bronze designation in 2025 by supporting solar trainings for local government staff; providing solar resources for businesses, local governments, and residents; and more!

• 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 solar map for the region.
• Provided a training for local officials on ways large-scale solar strategies can be supported in the region, including regulatory authority and relevant state processes. Training must have occurred in the past two years.
• 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 and zoning staff from communities and counties in the region on best practices in planning and zoning for solar PV.
• Hosted regional training on best practices for permitting solar PV and/or solar and storage systems.
• Hosted regional training on best practices for inspecting solar PV and/or solar and storage systems.