Since 2016, the solsmart program has helped local governments (LGS) reduce soft cost barriers to solar market development and made IT easier for residents to install residential solar energy systems

The next phase of the solsmart program will expand LG participation, incorporate new technologies and topics, and further accelerate the deployment of solar energy, while advancing key priorities around equitable energy access and environmental justice (EJ). The new solsmart program will set a goal of designating at least 500 new communities, for an overall goal of designating almost 1,000 solsmart communities across the united states between 2016-2027. The solsmart program will advance EJ priorities through two key strategies. First, the program will prioritize recruitment activities and technical assistance to underserved or disadvantaged communities, including rural communities, LGS with limited resources, and LGS with substantial low and moderate income (LMI) populations. Second, the program will prioritize high impact TA support in all communities intended to help facilitate solar adoption among historically disadvantaged populations and by associated institutions (schools, community centers, etc.) and businesses. These strategies will be designed to increase the distribution of benefits in these communities, including cost savings, price stabilization, and environmental impacts. Of 500 new LGS designated, 200 will be underserved or disadvantaged communities, as defined in the FOA or provided by DOE's JUSTICE40 analysis. Of the 1,000 LG staff receiving direct training through the program, 400 will be staff either from underserved communities or participating in trainings focused on advancing EJ-focused criteria and technical assistance. Other new elements of the solsmart program will include the integration of additional seto programs and tools, such as incentives for adoption of solarapp+; a greater focus on using solar plus technologies, such as solar + storage; and an increasing focus on other topics, such as codes and standards; siting and zoning for commercial and utility-scale solar systems; solar financing; solarize campaigns; and other accelerated deployment strategies. Solsmart will pursue an ambitious communications program to RE-engage with previously designated communities, develop new tools and resources in line with new program priorities, and build awareness of the program across the country. Solsmart will set a goal of "leveling up" at least 200 previously designated communities and document at least 6,000 public engagements or use of program outputs, including communications content, downloads of reports or resources, and attendees to public webinars or conference presentations. Finally, the solsmart program will develop and implement an impact evaluation strategy designed to measure the impacts of the solsmart program in reducing soft costs, reducing permitting and inspection (PI) timelines, and accelerating the adoption of solar energy in designated communities across the country. The program will implement a new strategy for baseline data collection and follow-on reporting to better track program impacts in increased solar deployment in solsmart communities beyond business-as-usual growth expectations. Working with an external evaluator and control group analysis, the program will establish a goal of demonstrating that solsmart designation leads to a 50% decrease in installation timelines in designated communities, a 25% increase in solar deployment within designated communities, and a total of 500 MW of additional rooftop residential solar energy deployed across the united states.