This webpage helps local government staff to apply an equity lens to a sustainability project, including choosing a good project, communicating about the project and racial equity, building a team, applying proven equity tools, and designing the project to embed an equity lens in local government practice.
Valuing the Resilience Provided by Solar and Battery Energy Storage Systems
This short insight brief outlines the value that resilient solar can provide and can serve as a reference when engaging city leadership in the value of pursuing solar + storage projects for resiliency.
Resilient Southeast: Exploring Opportunities for Solar+Storage in Five Cities
This report evaluates the current policy landscape and economic potential for solar and battery storage to provide clean, reliable backup power to critical facilities in five cities: Atlanta, GA; Charleston, SC; Miami, FL; New Orleans, LA; and Wilmington, NC.
Design and Implementation of Community Solar Programs for Low- and Moderate-Income Customers
This report draws from literature and interviews with representatives from solar developers and state community solar programs to provide experience on low- and moderate-income community solar design.
Low-Income Solar Policy Guide
This website provides case studies and policy recommendations to promote the uptake of solar in low-income communities.
Financing Community-Scale Solar
RMI’s Financing Community Scale Solar Brief provides an overview of community solar, financing structures, and risks.
Financing Community-Based Solar Projects: Case Studies from the Field
SEPA’s report explores different financing options through a series of six case studies based on in-depth interviews with utilities and project developers.
Unlocking Solar for Low- and Moderate-Income Residents: A Matrix of Financing Options by Resident, Provider, and Housing Type
NREL’s report aims to identify the most promising strategies state policymakers might consider using to finance PV for low- and moderate-income customers across three housing types: single family, multi-family, and manufactured housing.
New York State Solar Guidebook
The Solar Guidebook contains information, tools, and step-by-step instructions to support local governments managing solar energy development in their communities. The Guidebook’s chapters cover a variety of solar energy topics including the permitting process, property taxes, model solar energy law, and more.
Project Sunroof
Google’s Project Sunroof Data Explorer can estimate the solar potential for an entire city, while its Savings Estimator can evaluate specific buildings.