EPA invites local governments across the country to meet their environmental, energy, economic and domestic job creation goals through greater utilization of solar energy from on and off site solar projects that serve municipal operations.

Local governments will find project development resources and opportunities to learn from industry experts and their peers. To Share Your Progress and learn more about available resources and technical support, see below. Click on the map to view individual local government progress.

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Local Government Solar Project List

The table below details individual local government progress towards developing solar energy projects on municipal properties by successfully completing key project development steps. Your local government can leverage the experience of other municipalities who have gone before or who share common project development challenges and opportunities. To learn more about the accomplishments of each local government, click on the municipality’s name to open their “More Information” section. Information may include the specifics of their goal or commitment, the number of solar projects they’re considering, relevant networks that the municipality is a part of, and more.

To learn more about having your solar project added to this list please visit the Share Your Solar Project Experience page.

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Local Government	Pathway Progress	Step 1: RE Public Commitment	Step 2: RE Development Plan	Step 3: Collection of Utility Data & Site Assessment	Step 4: Issued RFP	Step 5: Proposal Evaluations	Step 6: Signed Contract	Step 7: New Installed Capacity
City of Durango, CO	14%	Environmental Action Plan (PDF) (42 pp, 1.1MB)
The City of Durango, CO has committed to use 50% renewable energy community-wide by 2030 and 100% by 2050. The city has also committed to reduce GHG emissions 80% by 2050 compared to 2016 levels. They have 0.019 MW of solar capacity already installed, and they purchase additional green power from their utility to reach 100% renewable energy use. Durango is a Green Power Partner, won SolSmart Silver in 2017, and is part of the Compact of Colorado Communities.
Town of Breckenridge, CO	28%	Council Resolution (PDF) (2 pp, 178K)	100% RE Strategy (PDF) (3 pp, 138K)
The Town of Breckenridge, CO has passed two municipal resolutions, committing to 100% renewable electricity use for town facilities by 2025 and 100% renewable electricity use town-wide by 2035, respectively. The town currently uses 63% renewable electricity for municipal operations and has two electric buses. Breckenridge has also helped create a community solar garden, hosts several on-site solar systems through a power purchase agreement, and is pursuing several other solar projects in the next two years.
Town of Fraser, CO	14%	Municipal Webpage
The Town of Fraser, CO’s goal is to reduce GHG emissions 20% below 2014 levels by 2025 and to start a community solar project. They are part of ICLEI’s Local Governments for Sustainability and the Compact of Colorado Communities.
Town of Frisco, CO	28%	County Resolution (PDF) (2 pp, 16K)	Regional Climate Action Plan (PDF) (42 pp, 3.8MB)
The Town of Frisco, CO has set a goal of 100% renewable energy use community-wide by 2035. Frisco is also an official member of the Summit County Climate Action Collaborative, a group of ten towns in the Rocky Mountains working to address climate change swiftly and holistically. The collaborative has committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 50% by 2030 and 80% by 2050, compared to a 2005 baseline. Frisco is also working to encourage electric vehicle use and other renewable opportunities.
Town of Fairfield, CT	14%	Environmental Action Plan (PDF) (11 pp, 885K)
The Town of Fairfield, CT has committed to use 40% renewable energy for municipal operations by 2020 and to install five clean energy projects, each greater than .5 MW, by 2020. Additionally, they plan to use 100% renewable energy community-wide by 2050. They have already installed solar on 32 municipal buildings or parking lots and are planning 14 additional projects. They are part of the Sustainable Connecticut initiative and have expertise in completing solar carport projects and in creative stakeholder engagement.
Washington, DC	14%	Climate Action Plan (PDF) (275 pp, 6.2MB)
Washington DC's goals include using 30% renewable electricity by 2032, reducing GHG emissions 50% from 2006 levels by 2032, and reaching carbon neutrality by 2050. DC is currently working on a community solar project and a low-income residential solar initiative. The nation's capital already has 12 megawatts of solar installed across 50 municipal buildings, and is also an EPA Green Power Partner and Green Power Community.
City of Orlando, FL	28%	Municipal Webpage	Environmental Action Plan (PDF) (35 pp, 1.7MB)
The City of Orlando, FL has committed to reaching carbon neutrality for municipal operations by 2030, including powering their fleet of municipal vehicles with 100% renewable energy and reducing municipal energy usage by 50%. They have solar hot water heaters at 2 facilities and are working to install them at one more location. Orlando has installed 5.7 MW of solar that serves municipal load. The city is working on a 108.5 MW solar farm that will be operational by 2020, a 20 MW floating solar array, and two other solar projects. In addition, Orlando has a municipal utility that has developed a community solar project and that encourages residential solar use. Orlando is part of Ready for 100, the City Energy Project, Mayors for 100% Clean Energy, the Solar Energy Innovation Network, and Solar America Cities. They also won SolSmart Gold in 2017 from DOE’s SunShot Initiative.
City of Sarasota, FL	28%	Municipal Webpage	100% RE Strategy (PDF) (56 pp, 2.7MB)
The City of Sarasota, FL has committed to reach 50% renewable energy for municipal operations by 2024, as well as 100% municipally by 2030 and 100% community-wide by 2045. They have worked with their local utility to install two municipal solar projects so far, have helped foster regional "solar co-ops" that pool local purchasing power, and are working to reform state-level policies to make Florida more solar-friendly. Sarasota also participates in the Ready for 100 initiative and the Compact of US Climate Protection Mayors.
City of Chicago, IL	71%	Environmental Action Plan (PDF) (40 pp, 12MB)	Renewable Working Group Report		RFP for Ground-Mounted Solar (PDF) (208 pp, 11.5MB)
The City of Chicago, IL has committed to transition its 900+ municipal buildings to 100% renewable energy by 2025, while prioritizing locally-produced renewable energy. They have 1 MW of solar capacity installed on City buildings and plan to install at least 9 MW more. They are part of Energy Impact Illinois and have signed onto the C40 Compact of Mayors.
City of Urbana, IL	85%	Council Resolution (PDF) (3 pp, 67K)	Climate Action Plan (PDF) (26 pp, 1.9MB)		RFP at Municipal Landfill	Selection Rubric	Resolution Approving Lease (PDF) (84 pp, 1.5MB)
The City of Urbana, IL has committed to reach net carbon neutrality community-wide by 2040. They also are working toward 100% renewable electricity community-wide by 2035. Urbana has signed a lease for SunPower to construct a 2 MW solar array on a municipal landfill and is also considering a solar project with battery storage at a local fire station, as well as a long-term purchase of bundled renewable energy for municipal operations. They are a Green Power Community and are participating in DOE’s SunShot Initiative.
Town of Amherst, MA	14%	Town Bylaw
The Town of Amherst, MA has passed a municipal bylaw that requires major new municipal buildings be net zero energy, as well as a resolution to transition to 100% renewable electricity as quickly as possible. The town is currently working on a unique project to install solar on a municipal landfill through a power purchase agreement. The project required multiple environmental reviews because the landfill area also serves as habitat for an endangered species. Amherst plans to put a conservation easement on part of the project area and a dog park in another section, in order to balance ecological, recreational, and renewable energy goals. The town is part of the Ready for 100 Campaign and the Solarize Mass campaign.
City of Portland, ME	14%	Council Resolution
Portland, ME has passed city council resolutions committing to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2040 and to reduce GHG emissions 80% by 2050. The city is currently working to update its 2008 Climate Action Plan in light of these new goals. Portland already has a solar array at the Riverside Golf Course, and is working to install .7 megawatts of solar on a municipal landfill. The municipality is also collaborating with the city of South Portland to coordinate a response to climate change and maximize impact.
City of Ann Arbor, MI	28%	Council Resolution	100% RE Strategy Carbon Neutrality Plan
Ann Arbor, MI initially committed (in 2018) to install 24 megawatts of solar by 2025 and to reach 100% renewable electricity for municipal operations by 2035. The city published a detailed renewable energy strategy to meet those goals. Then, in March 2020, Ann Arbor published an even more ambitious plan committing to carbon neutrality community-wide by 2030. The new plan lays out a large solar landfill project that should be operational in 2023, as well as plans for a 100% RE CCA by 2027, a second community solar project, and bulk buys of residential solar plus storage. Ann Arbor city operations already use more than 20% renewable electricity from a landfill biogas generator and two hydroelectric dams. The city also passed a resolution to support federal carbon pricing legislation. Ann Arbor is part of US Climate Mayors and the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy.
City of Grand Rapids, MI	14%	Municipal Webpage
The City of Grand Rapids, MI has committed to use 100% renewable energy for municipal operations by 2020. They have already installed a large on-site solar array at their Environmental Facilities building and are assessing the feasibility of another large solar project. They are a Green Power Partner, have signed Environment America’s “Mayors for Solar” pledge, and are part of ICLEI and the 2030 Districts Network.
Meridian Township, MI	57%	Climate Action Plan (PDF) (17 pp, 879K)			RFP for Rooftop Solar (PDF) (61 pp, 8.4MB)
Meridian Township, MI has committed to obtain 50% of the electricity required for municipal operations from renewable sources by 2025 and 100% by 2030. They are also working to reach 25% community-wide renewable use by 2025. In 2018, the township installed its first solar array, which is 20 kW. They are currently working to install rooftop solar on two additional buildings, the fire station and the Farmer's Market building.
City of Columbia, MO	28%	Municipal Ordinance	Climate Action Plan (PDF) (56 pp, 2.7MB) RE Plan (PDF) (37 pp, 950K)
Columbia, MO has a local ordinance that commits its municipal utility to reach 25% renewable electricity by 2022 and 30% by 2028, with preference for local projects in the selection process. The city is working to install solar on as many municipal buildings as feasible and has committed to reduce municipal GHG emissions 50% by 2035 and for the community to reach carbon neutrality by 2060. Columbia also has a SolSmart Gold designation.
City of Creve Coeur, MO	28%	Municipal Webpage	Climate Action Plan (PDF) (27 pp, 1.1MB)
The City of Creve Coeur, MO has committed to reduce GHG emissions from municipal operations and the entire community 10% by 2025, 20% by 2035, and 50% by 2050, compared to 2015 levels. The City has installed a 25 kW solar array on the roof of the Dielmann Recreation Complex and is considering two additional rooftop projects and a 1MW community solar garden. Creve Coeur is a Green Power Partner and GPC, has signed the U.S. Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement, and is a part of the St. Louis High Performance Building Initiative's 25X20 Energy Benchmarking Campaign.
City of Asheville, NC	100%	Council Resolution	100% RE Strategy (PDF) (126 pp, 2MB)	Resolution for Collaborative RFP for RE Planning	Rooftop Solar RFP (PDF) (208 pp, 6MB)		Resolution Executing Contract (PDF) (1 pg, 306K)	57.5 kW Press Release
The City of Asheville, NC has passed a resolution to transition to 100% renewable energy for municipal operations by December 2030. Asheville developed a renewable energy implementation plan in November 2019 and collaborated with Buncombe County to fund a joint RFP for renewable energy planning services. The city already has two solar hot water systems installed on fire stations and just completed a 57.5 kW rooftop solar array on its transit center. Asheville is now working to add solar panels to five more city buildings by 2023. Asheville has achieved SolSmart Gold, ran the first Solarize program in the state in 2013, and is part of the We Are Still In campaign. The city co-chairs a regional Energy Innovation Task Force that seeks to avoid the construction of a natural gas peaker plant nearby and to promote a clean energy future.
City of Concord, NH	57%	Council Resolution	100% RE Strategy (PDF) (59 pp, 1.3MB)		RFP for Ground-Mounted Solar (PDF) (133 pp, 3.6MB)
Concord, New Hampshire's capital city, has committed to reaching 100% locally-generated renewable electricity by 2030 and 100% renewable energy use community-wide by 2050. The city is working to install ground-mounted solar on either a municipal landfill or water treatment plant. Concord is part of the Ready for 100 Campaign, the Cool Cities program, and the Rebuild NH Partnership. Concord's mayor signed on to the US Conference of Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement in 2008.
Town of Hanover, NH	28%	Renewable Energy Vision	100% RE Strategy (PDF) (4 pp, 284K)
The Town of Hanover, NH has committed to 100% renewable electricity by 2030 and 100% renewable energy use (including heating and transportation) by 2050. Hanover was the first municipality in New Hampshire to do so and the first in the country to do so by popular vote (at town meeting). Hanover plans to include local renewable energy generation as an important component toward meeting their goal. Hanover is also a Green Power Partner and Green Power Community, and has run a successful Solarize campaign.
Town of Temple, NH	28%	Council Resolution	Renewable Task Force Website
The Town of Temple, NH has committed to using 100% renewable energy for municipal buildings by 2030 and has a voluntary task force currently working to implement that vision. The Task Force is evaluating the potential for rooftop solar on the Fire Department and exploring financial options for ground-mounted solar with the help of the NH Community Development Finance Authority. They are also considering a downtown electric vehicle charging station and hope to support a large solar array that would be available to residents via net metering as well as to local businesses such as the inn, church, store, and post office. The renewable energy goal was passed through Warrant Article 11, approved at their 2018 annual Town Meeting through a popular vote. The government of Temple is also participating in Clean Energy NH and EPA's Green Power Partnership.
City of Santa Fe, NM	14%	Environmental Action Plan
The City of Santa Fe, NM has committed to reach carbon neutrality by 2040. Santa Fe's master sustainability plan, adopted in 2018, also includes a commitment to install or use renewable energy on municipal buildings, wherever practical and feasible. The city already has 4.2 MW of solar installed across 9 municipal buildings, and is working on installing renewable energy on 17 more buildings.
New York City, NY	85%	Municipal Webpage	Solar Strategy (PDF) (154 pp, 13MB)		Bundled Rooftop Solar RFP (PDF) (426 pp, 16MB)
New York City, NY’s goal is to install 100 MW of solar on municipal buildings by 2025. The municipality has also committed to reduce GHG emissions 40% by 2030 and 80% by 2050 in alignment with the Paris Climate Accords, and to divest all its pension funds from fossil fuel investments, as of January 2018. NYC has 10.34 MW of solar capacity already installed and is working to install 15 additional MW of solar by the end of 2018. The city is part of the C40 Compact of Mayors and ICLEI’s Local Governments for Sustainability.
City of Cincinnati, OH	42%	Municipal Webpage	Solar Development Plan (PDF) (9 pp, 1.6MB)
Cincinnati, OH's goal is to reach 100 percent renewable energy use for government operations by 2035 and to reduce GHG emissions 80 percent by 2050. Cincinnati has an excellent Solar Development Plan, and the first phase—consisting of 25 MW of local solar installations by about 2020—has already begun. Once completed, this will be the largest on-site solar array of any municipality in the U.S., adding to Cincinnati's 28 existing small-scale solar projects, totaling 1.9 MW of current capacity. The city is a Green Power Partner and Green Power Community and is part of the Green Umbrella, a regional sustainability alliance for Greater Cincinnati.
City of Columbus, OH	28%	Municipal Webpage	Environmental Action Plan
The City of Columbus met its 2013 goal early, which was to use 20% renewable energy for city operations by 2020. As of 2019, the City is purchasing RECs wholesale to cover 50% of municipal electricity use, and is considering additional solar projects. Columbus already has solar panels on the Africentric School, at Bicentennial Park, and on the roof of the Fleet Management Building (636 kilowatt array). Columbus is also working on a Renewable Energy Owner's Representative Study and is replacing their parking meters with a solar-powered model. Finally, the City is working to promote diverse renewable energy strategies in the community, including residential solar, combined heat and power, and biogas digesters. Columbus participates in EPA's Green Power Partnership as well.
City of Ashland, OR	28%	Municipal Webpage	Climate Action Plan (PDF) (128 pp, 50MB)
The City of Ashland, OR’s goal is for municipal operations to reach carbon neutrality by 2030 and for the entire community to reach net zero GHG emissions by 2050. They are investigating solar feasibility on 23 municipal buildings, have two community solar gardens already, and their municipal utility is pursuing renewable energy projects.
City of Bend, OR	14%	Council Resolution
The City of Bend, OR's goal is to achieve carbon neutrality for municipal operations by 2030 and to reduce the community's fossil fuel use 70% by 2050. The City has a Climate Action Steering Committee, and is working on a Solar Strategy Plan, which it expects to publish in Fall 2019. Through its energy efficiency services provider, Bend is working on installing two solar arrays on municipal property, and will consider additional projects once the plan is released. Bend also has an existing 33 kilowatt solar array on top of the Bend Centennial Parking Plaza downtown.
City of Milwaukie, OR	28%	Municipal Master Plan (PDF) (15 pp, 5MB)	Climate Action Plan (PDF) (76 pp, 9.4MB)
The City of Milwaukie, OR has committed to net zero electricity by 2030 and net zero GHG emissions city-wide by 2045. They also commit to producing more renewable energy locally than they use. Milwaukie is a Green Power Partner, a Green Power Community, and has a community solar project.
City of Portland, OR	28%	Binding Council Resolution	Climate Action Plan (PDF) (66 pp, 2.1MB)
Portland, OR has passed a binding resolution to use renewable sources for 100% of the community's energy needs by 2050. The city government has already reached its goal to use 100% renewable electricity, and is working to increase its use of on-site renewable resources from 9% currently to 15% by 2030. To fulfill its pledge to prioritize local renewable development, the city is working to install 15 MW of local solar by 2030. Portland is a Green Power Community, a founding Green Power Partner, and in 1993, was the first U.S. city to create a GHG reduction plan. Portland already has solar arrays on 16 City buildings (for a total of .7 megawatts) and is working to install solar on 4 additional sites (with .2 MW total).
City of Philadelphia, PA	14%	Municipal Energy Plan (PDF) (28 pp, 2.8MB)
The City of Philadelphia, PA’s goal is to reduce GHG emissions 50% by 2030 and 80% by 2050, as well as to use 100% renewable energy for municipal buildings by 2030. The City has a solar array at their water treatment plant and is investigating solar PPAs, microgrids, combined heat and power installations, and ways to green the regional grid.
City of Columbia, SC	14%	Municipal Webpage Council Resolution
Columbia, SC's goal is use 100% renewable electricity by 2036. The city is a part of the Ready for 100 Campaign and also participates in Solarize SC. Their mayor signed onto the US Conference of Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement in 2006.
City of Nashville, TN	14%	Municipal Webpage	Environmental Action Plan (PDF) (48 pp, 5.4MB)
Nashville, TN has committed to install 10 megawatts of local renewable energy by 2020, to increase their renewable energy use 30% by 2030, and to reduce municipal GHG emissions 80% by 2050. Metro Nashville Government has a renewable portfolio standard for city operations with an annual stair-stepped mandate towards the goal to reach 100% renewable by 2040. Music City Solar, Nashville's first community solar project, opened in August 2018. The Nashville municipal government subscribes to 510 of the solar project’s panels and is strategizing additional renewable projects to meet its energy and greenhouse gas emissions goals.
City of Logan, UT	28%	Council Resolution (PDF) (7 pp, 262K)	Climate Action Plan (PDF) (5 pp, 130K)
In November 2017, Logan City, UT passed a resolution for its utility to supply 50% renewable electricity by 2030. In Logan's roadmap to meet this goal, the city has proposed leading by example by having all new municipal buildings generate some renewable energy on-site, and by evaluating existing buildings for a renewable energy retrofit, where feasible. Logan already has a community solar program, as well as a Green Power Program, where residents can chip in to fund future renewable projects. The city is working on adding solar to their new wastewater treatment plant, currently under construction.
City of Moab, UT	28%	Council Resolution	Environmental Action Plan (PDF) (79 pp, 10MB)
The City of Moab, UT has committed to use 100% renewable energy for city operations by 2027 and to reach 100% community-wide by 2032. They also have a goal to reduce the community’s GHG emissions 80% by 2040. The city currently uses 24% renewable energy, mostly from wind power, as well as on-site solar. Moab is a Green Power Partner and was the original, founding Green Power Community. Moab is also a part of the Ready for 100 initiative and the I Am Pro Snow Campaign.
Summit County, UT	57%	Council Resolution	100% RE Strategy (PDF) (52 pp, 1MB)	Solar Feasibility Study for County Buildings (PDF) (67 pp, 7.5MB)	Regional Collaborative RFP
Summity County, UT has passed a council resolution committing to use net 100% renewable electricity for government operations by 2032, with an interim goal of 50% by 2025. The county is also seeking to make renewable electricity broadly obtainable and widely adopted by residents and businesses by 2032, and has GHG reduction goals as well.
City of Alexandria, VA	14%	Environmental Action Plan (PDF) (82 pp, 33MB)
The City of Alexandria, VA has committed to use 25% renewable energy city-wide by 2020, and to reach 80% by 2050. They also have a goal for all new buildings to be carbon neutral by 2030. They are a Green Power Partner and are also part of Solarize Alexandria and the Local Energy Alliance Program.
City of Roanoke, VA	14%	Climate Action Plan (PDF) (77 pp, 1GB)
The City of Roanoke, VA has committed to reduce GHG emissions an additional 3% annually from 2015 to 2020, to put them 40% below 2008 emissions levels by 2020. They also have a goal of installing 0.01 MW of solar on City-owned facilities by 2020. Roanoke has completed several energy efficiency projects and is considering solar installations on their civic center and public library. They are a part of ICLEI, the Better Buildings Initiative, and the C40 Compact of Mayors.
Town of Hartford, VT	14%	Municipal Energy Plan (PDF) (10 pp, 547K)
The Town of Hartford, VT's goal is to generate 55 million to 68 million kWh of renewable energy town-wide by 2050, which would be their proportional share of Vermont's state-wide goal of 90% renewable energy by 2050. They currently have almost a megawatt of solar installed in Hartford, but only retain the RECs from a 26 kilowatt and 64 kilowatt system, which produce about 2 percent of the municipality's electricity use. Hartford is looking to promote community solar, rooftop solar, and solar parking canopies to meet their goal.
City of Eau Claire, WI	42%	Council Resolution	100% RE Strategy (PDF) (110 pp, 5MB)
In 2009, the City of Eau Claire, WI passed a goal to reach 25% renewable energy by 2025, which they met nine years early. Their new goals include carbon neutrality and 100% renewable energy use by 2050. Eau Claire has a community solar project and are working with the Midwest Renewable Association on group residential solar purchases, as part of DOE’s SunShot Initiative.
City Of Madison, WI	28%	City Resolution	100% RE Strategy
In March 2017, Madison City Council adopted a resolution committing to reach carbon neutrality for city operations by 2030. The city government will cut its carbon emissions 55% by 2030 and use 25% renewable energy by the same year, with RECs and carbon offsets making up the remainder. Madison, WI also has an MPower campaign seeking to help its residents lower their emissions.

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