The SolSmart team is excited to announce it will present a SolSmart panel (pictured right) to the first 35 communities designated at the Bronze, Silver, or Gold tier. When displayed in city or county offices, these exclusive, program-branded solar panels allow your community to showcase its achievements to residents and businesses. It also gives your community bragging rights over its peers, and acts as a visible representation of how your community is “open for solar business.” You can help secure a SolSmart panel for your community by following these steps – it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!

1. Complete an intake form
   It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just check off what your community has done, provide relevant documentation, and hit submit. Even if your community has not completed any actions, just fill out the contact information section. SolSmart helps all communities, regardless of their previous experience with solar. Our team provides guidance and assistance in completing the intake form as well – simply contact us at solsmart@solarfound.org for help, or simply reply to this email.
2. Access customized technical assistance
   SolSmart’s national solar experts will work with your community to (1) achieve the SolSmart prerequisites and (2) garner enough points to help your community achieve its desired tier of designation.
3. Earn a SolSmart Panel
   Be one of the first 35 to fulfill the requirements for at least the Bronze tier of designation and your community will receive a SolSmart panel.

SolSmart Advisor Host Communities Application Deadline Extended

A SolSmart Advisor is a program-funded temporary staff member hosted in a community for up to six months. During their tenure, these experienced and highly trained individuals will work with staff and elected officials to help your community achieve SolSmart designation.

Just like the SolSmart panels, you’ll need to hurry and apply to be eligible for an Advisor. The first application period for Host Communities has been extended to July 8, 2016. Apply today to Host a SolSmart Advisor!