SolSmart has recognized Kennebunk, Maine with a prestigious Bronze designation. The Town of Kennebunk is the second community in Maine to receive this recognition for encouraging the growth of affordable solar energy options at the local level. 

As a SolSmart Bronze designee, Kennebunk has adopted nationally recognized best practices to advance solar market growth.

As a SolSmart Bronze designee, Kennebunk has adopted nationally recognized best practices to advance solar market growth. Town staff worked with the Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission and SolSmart’s technical assistance team to adopt multiple initiatives that lowered or removed barriers to local solar development. That included creating an online permitting checklist for solar permits and reviewing local zoning codes for unintentional barriers to solar, among other achievements. The SolSmart Bronze designation also recognizes the town’s work to deploy solar installations on municipal facilities.

SolSmart is led by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO). Over 550 cities, towns, counties, and regional organizations have achieved SolSmart designation since the program launched in 2016. SolSmart provides free technical support for local governments to increase energy options, support economic development, and improve resilience.

“The SolSmart program is thrilled to recognize Kennebunk as a Bronze designee,” said Brandy O’Quinn, SolSmart Program Director at IREC. “This community’s work to streamline their solar processes while maintaining safety serves as a model for others in the state and beyond.”

In 2024, the Town of Kennebunk adopted a Climate Action Plan that contains 22 strategies to reduce the community’s greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen its ability to adapt and thrive. This SolSmart designation is just one of the many actions the Town is undertaking to implement the plan and meet its climate goals.

“Increasing solar usage in the town is a part of Kennebunk’s Climate Action Plan, so this is a great first step,” said Town of Kennebunk Select Board member Lisa Pratt. 

A 2025 update on the Climate Action Plan is available on the Town’s website.

Local governments across the U.S. are taking advantage of SolSmart’s free technical assistance. Learn and join the program here.