Richmond Received 2018 SolSmart Special Recognition Award for Demonstrating Solar Excellence

In addition to achieving SolSmart Silver, the City of Richmond has been presented with a 2018 Special Recognition Award by SolSmart. The SolSmart Special Recognition Award celebrates and shines a light on communities that have gone above and beyond – earning at least 60% of the total points available in one or more of the eight SolSmart categories of Permitting; Planning, Zoning and Development; Inspection; Construction Codes; Solar Rights; Utility Engagement; Community Engagement; and Marketing, Development and Finance.

Richmond received an award for excellence in the Inspection category. Read more about the city's solar efforts.

As a SolSmart Special Recognition Award winner, Richmond joins an exclusive and diverse group of communities across the U.S. who have not only satisfied the minimum requirements, but exceeded the high standards established by the SolSmart Criteria Advisory Committee.

SolSmart is a national designation program, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office through the Solar Powering America by Recognizing Communities (SPARC) initiative, designed to recognize communities that have taken key steps to address local barriers to solar energy and foster the growth of mature local solar markets. A growing number of cities and counties nationwide have achieved SolSmart designation since the program launched in 2016. Local governments can sign up to join the SolSmart program by visiting SolSmart.org.