{"id":1401,"date":"2021-12-03T19:46:27","date_gmt":"2021-12-03T19:46:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplesolarliving.com\/?page_id=1401"},"modified":"2023-02-17T14:25:19","modified_gmt":"2023-02-17T14:25:19","slug":"solar-friendly-communities","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/simplesolarliving.com\/solar-friendly-communities\/","title":{"rendered":"Solar Friendly Communities"},"content":{"rendered":"
We are proud to announce that Simple Solar Living has acquired the Solar Friendly Communities project previously found at SolarCommunities.org<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our mission at Simple Solar Living is to make solar more accessible for everyone and to be the leading free online solar resource. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By merging with the Solar Friendly Community program we now are able to provide resources not just for individuals, but for communities and municipalities as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Solar Friendly Communities initiative aims to encourage the expansion of solar energy by making it easier for citizens to install solar systems on their homes and businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Solar Friendly Communities project helps citizens go solar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We work to make rooftop solar permitting easier for local governments, faster for solar installers and less expensive for residents. By bringing down costs, we encourage the spread of a locally powered, job-creating energy source that has no fuel costs and produces no pollution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Solar energy is one of the fastest growing industries in the nation and promoting solar use can provide communities with a tangible economic development benefit. Streamlined processes today can yield rewards immediately and in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can take many routes to becoming a Solar Friendly Community. The program is designed to be flexible and allow participation by both larger and smaller jurisdictions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Get started today!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By following the roadmap below, your city or county can gain recognition as a Solar Friendly Community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each of these steps has various options that can be adapted to different community circumstances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Provide a checklist of all requirements for rooftop solar PV and solar thermal permitting in a single online location. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Provide checklists of all community requirements for PV and post them online at your community website.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n b. Provide checklists of all community requirements for solar thermal and post them online at your community website. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n c. Designate a solar coordinator as the community lead tasked with community outreach and internal coordination among departments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n d. Provide a designated solar permitting page with information on how permits are processed and links to other related entities. Include utility interconnection procedures, applicable rebate programs, and other solar incentive programs. Post updates on available webinars and other training opportunities available to permitting officials and industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Offer a standard permit form that is eligible for streamlined review for standard residential or small commercial rooftop flush-mounted systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n a. Adopt the Solar ABC\u2019s Expedited Permit Process for PV Systems. <\/a>This national standard of procedures and forms was developed by experts and provides a way for communities to adopt a national standard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2) Use A Standard Permit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n