Aurora, Colorado is pursuing solar as part of the city's larger sustainability strategy.  In 2009, the city, population 325,078, updated its Comprehensive Plan to include a Sustainability Plan with goals for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and economic growth.  Aurora now has three solar PV installations on city properties and three solar thermal installations on city properties with plans for a fourth.  Additionally, Aurora has a streamlined permitting process and has adopted a renewable energy ordinance.

This is the second in a series of case studies, identified through ICMA’s Solar Survey of Local Governments.  For a summary of survey results, click here.  The first case study, on Park City, Utah, is available here. To learn more about what local governments are doing to go solar, listen to ICMA’s solar podcasts.