Utility Engagement

Utility Engagement is one of the special focus categories for the SolSmart designation program. To achieve a Bronze designation, a city must earn at least 20 points across the six Special Focus categories. A city must earn at least 100 points overall for a Silver designation or at least 200 points overall for a Gold designation. Below is a list of regional guidance and best practice documents. When regional examples are not available, national examples are available through SolSmart resources.

U-1

Review best practices for integrating interconnection with electrical inspections and share best practices with staff (5 points).

U-2

Discuss community or shared solar programs with the local utility (10 points).

U-3

Engage and communicate with the utility on community goals for solar PV, net metering, and interconnection processes (10 points).

**Earn an additional 5 points (U-3b): Coordinate with regional organizations or other local governments to engage utilities.

U-4

Coordinate utility and city inspections for solar PV, reducing the total number of inspections needed (20 points).

U-5

Launch and support a utility-provided community solar program (20 points).

U-6

Local Innovation: Please describe your local innovation regarding Utility Engagement. Be sure to explain how this helps reduce the soft cost of solar PV in your community (up to 20 points).

Source

Icon courtesy of Sitchko Igor from Noun Project.