City of Sun Prairie Recognized as Second in the Nation for Platinum Designation by SolSmart

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 5, 2024
Jake King
Communications and Diversity Strategist
jking@cityofsunprairie.com
(608) 332-5397

City of Sun Prairie Recognized as Second in the Nation for Platinum Designation by SolSmart

The City of Sun Prairie has earned the SolSmart Platinum Designation by the SolSmart program, establishing it as the second municipality in the nation and first in the Midwest region to earn this recognition. There are four designations, with Platinum being the highest, reserved for applicants demonstrating high-impact solutions to advance solar energy and promote accessible clean energy. This designation acknowledges the City's leadership at the local level in promoting solar energy, with a particular emphasis on ensuring equitable access to solar resources.

The SolSmart program is a national program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office with a mission to reduce solar soft costs and help local governments across the United States expand the use of solar energy in their jurisdictions.

The SolSmart Standard Criteria, categorized into five key areas encompassing permitting and inspection, planning and zoning, government operations, community engagement, and market development, outline precise steps for municipalities to encourage the adoption of solar energy within their communities. Some criteria are prerequisites, while others are elective, each with corresponding point values. Meeting prerequisites and attaining sufficient points in each category qualifies a participant for SolSmart designation, offering flexibility to tailor the plan to local needs. The City has undertaken various initiatives across all five categories, with notable projects including the implementation of SolarApp+ and updates to an existing ordinance facilitating solar installations.

In December of last year, the City introduced SolarApp+ to streamline permitting for specific solar installations. Developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, SolarApp+ standardizes plan reviews and approvals, approved statewide by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. Tracking solar PV installations and permits since 2007, the City saw minimal activity until 2019, issuing 39 permits, a five-fold increase from the previous year. Subsequently, permit issuance remained high, with 53 permits in 2023 and a peak of 72 in 2020. Currently, the average permit time has been reduced to instant approval.

To enhance accessibility for the Sun Prairie community, the City Council approved staff recommendations to amend Title 17 – Zoning within the City's code of ordinances. These amendments were made to incorporate and regulate solar energy systems. The ordinance now includes clear definitions for solar energy systems, permits small-scale ground-mounted and roof-mounted solar as accessory uses, exempts small-scale ground-mounted solar from setback and height restrictions, establishes a regulatory pathway for large-scale solar as a primary property use, and mandates a decommissioning plan for proper removal of large-scale solar installations. These are just a few of the many steps the City has taken to enhance the amount of solar energy installed in Sun Prairie.

"We are thrilled to receive the SolSmart Platinum Designation, recognizing our dedication to advancing solar energy use," said Dr. Rose Daily, Sustainability Coordinator. "This milestone highlights our commitment to leading the way in sustainability efforts and serving as a beacon for others.”

A press conference is scheduled for Wednesday, April 10 at 12 p.m. in the Community Room at the Westside Community Services Building, 2598 W Main St, Sun Prairie. City staff and local leaders championing sustainability efforts will be speaking. Elected officials representing the Sun Prairie area and the state of Wisconsin will be in attendance. Additional details regarding the press conference will be sent separately.

"It is an honor to be recognized for spearheading initiatives that guide our community towards greater sustainability," said Aaron Oppenheimer, City Administrator. "Both our dedicated staff and city council remain deeply committed to upholding our value of becoming a more Sustainable Sun Prairie." To learn more about the SolSmart program, please visit http://www.solsmart.org/

For more information on Sun Prairie’s solar energy advancements, please visit https://cityofsunprairie.com/SunPrairieSolar