FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lancaster Designated “SolSmart Gold” for Advancing Solar Energy Growth
The City of Lancaster is receiving a Gold designation from the national SolSmart program for making it faster, easier, and more affordable for homes and businesses to go solar.
This designation recognizes Lancaster for taking bold steps to encourage solar energy growth and remove obstacles to solar development. For companies looking to expand, a SolSmart Gold designation is a signal that Lancaster is “open for solar business.”
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 Solar Energy Technologies Office. More than 450 municipalities, counties, and regional organizations have achieved SolSmart designation since the program launched in 2016.
As a SolSmart designee, the City of Lancaster is helping solar companies reduce the cost of installations and pass those savings on to consumers. This allows even more local homes and businesses to obtain affordable, clean, and reliable electricity through solar. The actions Lancaster has taken will help encourage solar companies to do business in the area, driving economic development and creating local jobs.
To receive designation, cities and counties make changes to their local processes to reduce the time and money it takes to install a solar energy system. This includes evaluating local permitting and inspection processes, as well as planning and zoning procedures. SolSmart designees also develop innovations in community engagement, government operations, and solar market development.
SolSmart uses objective criteria to award communities points based on the actions they take to reduce barriers to solar energy growth. Communities that take sufficient action are designated either Gold, Silver, or Bronze.
As part of the SolSmart program, a team of national experts provides no-cost technical assistance to help communities achieve designation. SolSmart designees are now in 43 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Interested communities can learn more at SolSmart.org.