Stevens Point is a SolSmart Gold City

Stevens Point Designated “SolSmart Gold” for Advancing Solar Energy Growth

The City of Stevens Point received 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 Stevens Point for taking bold steps to encourage solar energy growth and remove obstacles to solar development. For companies interested in solar options, a SolSmart Gold designation is a signal that Stevens Point is “open for solar business.”

SolSmart is led by The Solar Foundation and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office. More than 200 cities, counties, and small towns have achieved SolSmart designation since the program launched in 2016.

“We are thrilled to receive the highest designation available,” said Mayor Mike Wiza. “Our Associate Planner, Kyle Kearns, has been working very hard on this, knowing it was a priority for us to make it easier for those who wish to install solar on their property. We are all very proud of this recognition.”

As a SolSmart designee, Stevens Point is helping solar companies greatly reduce the cost of installations and pass those savings on to consumers. This allows even more homes and businesses to obtain affordable, clean, and reliable electricity through solar. The actions Mayor Wiza and the City have 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 streamline their local processes to reduce the time and money it takes to install a solar energy system. This includes evaluating local permitting processes, as well as planning and zoning procedures. SolSmart designees also develop innovations in areas such as market development and finance.

SolSmart uses objective criteria to award communities points based on the actions they take to reduce barriers to solar energy development. 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. All cities and counties are eligible to join the SolSmart program and receive this technical assistance. You can learn more at SolSmart.org.