On August 28th and 29th, 2017 MREA partnered with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to provide a two-day, online training on Solar Permitting and Solar Planning and Zoning for Montana communities. The webinars covered simplified solar permitting, planning and zoning best practices, and other topics that will help streamline solar installations in a community. The Day 1 permitting webinar featured Bill Brooks (Bill Brooks Engineering), who is widely considered an expert in solar permitting and inspection practices.
Training Agenda and Presenter Bios
Day 1: Solar Permitting
This portion is geared towards inspection and permitting staff. Specifically, inspectors are encourage to watch the first segment on Solar Landing Pages and Permitting Check Lists. The second segment, by Bill Brooks, is for permitting staff.
Download the recording (154 MB)
-- Part 1, Solar Landing Page and Permitting Checklist (for Inspection staff, approx. 30 min)
-- Part 2, Solar Permitting (for Permitting staff, approx. 90 min)
Day 2: Solar Planning and Zoning
Part 2 of the training was designed for planning and zoning staff, addressing ways to remove barriers to solar in your zoning code and how to establish appropriate zoning and land use pathways for large-scale solar
Download the recording (104 MB)
-- Part 1, Solar Landing Page and Permitting Checklist (for Planning and Zoning staff, approx. 30 min)
-- Part 2, Planning and Zoning for Solar in your Community (for Planning and Zoning staff, approx. 70 min)
Additional Resources:
- Solar Permitting Best Practices
Presenters
Bill Brooks, Brooks Engineering
Megan Day, AICP, National Renewable Energy Laboratory - NREL
Amy Hollander, National Renewable Energy Laboratory - NREL
Andrew Valainis, Montana Renewable Energy Association - MREA
For more information about solar permitting, planning and zoning or about the SolSmart program, please email us at: info@montanarenewables.org.