The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) invites you to join SolSmart, a national program that helps local governments and regional organizations become solar energy leaders. SolSmart provides no-cost technical assistance to help jurisdictions increase their knowledge, meet community challenges, and achieve solar energy goals. Since 2016, hundreds of local governments across the country have achieved SolSmart designation for meeting national best practices to grow local solar energy markets. We plan to bring at least 500 new local governments into the program in the coming years.
EGLE is a proud partner of SolSmart, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, Solar Energy Technologies Office. This spring, we are excited to announce a new SolSmart Platinum designation to recognize local governments with cutting-edge achievements in solar energy, in addition to SolSmart designation at the Gold, Silver, or Bronze levels.
SolSmart encourages local governments to streamline permitting requirements, review planning and zoning rules, track solar energy metrics, and work with community organizations to meet equity goals, among other actions to advance solar energy growth. As part of the federal Justice40 Initiative, SolSmart is committed to ensuring that every local government is able to participate in the program, including communities that are underserved.
Are you interested in joining the SolSmart program? Every city, town, county, and regional organization in the United States is eligible to join SolSmart, including in U.S. territories.
If you are already a SolSmart designee, we invite you to "level up" to Silver, Gold or Platinum designation!
Please reach out to EGLE's SolSmart Advisors, Lisa Thomas or Jessica Crawford, or SolSmart Program Manager, Danny Falk, for additional information on how to get started.
SolSmart is led by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), along with a team of partner organizations with expertise in solar energy and local government.
