West Lafayette, IN

In 2025, West Lafayette earned Charging Smart Bronze designation in recognition of their work to remove barriers to EV charging infrastructure. Their actions included clarifying permitting processes for charging stations, training municipal staff in best practices, and more!

West Lafayette, Indiana undertook a number of initiatives to earn their SolSmart Bronze designation, including upgrading permitting and inspection requirements, and making information more accessible to the public. In 2025, West Lafayette leveled up to SolSmart Silver by completing a comprehensive updating of zoning in the community, sharing information about solar jobs with local residents, and more.

• Posted an online solar map for the community
• Posted online resources about solar installers and/or solar quote platforms for solar PV
• 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 online resources about residential and commercial solar PV financing options and incentives
• Posted an online summary of state policies related to a property owner’s solar access and solar rights, including links to state-level policy
• Distributed solar job training and career opportunities in coordination with local colleges and/or workforce development organizations
• Installed solar PV on local government facilities and/or local government-controlled land
• Conducted feasibility analysis for solar PV on local government facilities and/or local government-controlled land
• Demonstrated that residential permit fees for solar PV are $500 or less
• Required no more than one permit application form for a small rooftop solar PV system
• Posted an online checklist detailing the required permit(s), submittals, and steps of tje community’s permitting process for small rooftop solar PV
• Required no more than two inspections for small rooftop solar PV
• Trained inspection staff on best practices for inspecting solar PV and/or solar and storage systems
• Trained permitting staff on best practices for permitting solar PV and/or solar and storage systems
• Reviewed zoning requirements and identified restrictions that intentionally or unintentionally prohibit solar PV development
• Codified in the zoning ordinance that accessory use 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 exempts rooftop solar PV from certain restrictions on accessory uses
• Ensured the zoning ordinance exempts small ground-mounted solar PV from certain restrictions on accessory uses
• Ensured the zoning ordinance establishes a clear regulatory pathway for large-scale solar PV
• Ensured the zoning ordinance includes a native perennial vegetation and/or habitat-friendly ground cover requirement or standard for large-scale solar PV
• Ensured the zoning ordinance requires a decommissioning plan that outlines the terms and conditions for a large-scale solar PV system’s proper removal at the end of its useful life cycle or in the event of cessation of operation