Peterborough has received a gold-level designation from the national SolSmart program, which awards communities points based on the actions they take to reduce barriers to solar energy growth.
SolSmart is led by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office.
The organization helps local governments and regional organizations bring new business to their community, promote economic growth and foster the creation of new jobs, according to Peterborough Town Planner Danica Melone.
Melone said some of the criteria for being a gold designee with SolSmart included reducing barriers for solar energy growth. This will be done, Melone said, by reducing the number of necessary code inspections and the creation of a solar permitting guide, as well as a statement that clarifies the town’s support to streamline the processes involved in going solar for businesses.
As a SolSmart designee, Melone said that Peterborough is helping solar companies reduce the cost of installations and pass those savings on to consumers.
“The actions Peterborough has taken will help encourage solar companies to do business in the area, driving economic development and creating local jobs,” she said.
Peterborough sought the SolSmart designation in collaboration with the Peterborough Renewable Energy Planning (PREP) Committee. PREP has been spearheading renewable energy initiatives since the passing of a warrant article at Town Meeting in 2021 that commits the town to a goal of 100 percent renewable sources of electricity by 2030 and renewable sources for all other energy needs, including for heating and transportation, by 2050. PREP has also been mandated to deliver a Renewable Energy Plan by December 2022 which outlines Peterborough’s transition to 100 percent renewable energy.
“I can’t speak highly enough of the PREP committee,” Melone said, adding that the group has done the necessary legwork to make the SolSmart designation possible and to help with other initiatives such as electric vehicle conversions in town. “They have identified ways to make our goals possible and had brought SolSmart to me.”
So far, more than 450 municipalities, counties and regional organizations have achieved SolSmart designation since the program launched in 2016. As part of the SolSmart program, a team of national experts provides no-cost technical assistance to help communities achieve their goals. SolSmart designees are now in 43 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
Communities are designated either gold, silver or bronze, and Peterborough is now one of only three communities – the others include Keene and Lebanon – in New Hampshire to be designated, and one of two designated as gold.