Local governments that succeed at promoting solar are ones that remove solar barriers, such as restrictive solar ordinances and slow and confusing processes. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, up to 63% of residential solar installation costs can result from “soft costs”--defined as business process or administrative costs that can increase the time and money it takes to install a solar system.
The following resources are meant to assist cities with planning and soft cost reduction so that homeowners, businesses, schools, and other entities interested in solar energy have an easier path to getting solar up and running. If your community already is, or is planning to, become solar-friendly, consider participating in SolSmart to receive technical assistance and national recognition.
