For the City Times

STEVENS POINT – The city of Stevens Point is receiving a Gold designation from the national SolSmart program, devised to make it faster, easier, and more affordable for homes and businesses to go solar.

This designation recognizes Stevens Point for taking steps to encourage solar energy growth and remove obstacles to solar development.

SolSmart is led by The Solar Foundation and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office. More than 200 cities, counties, and small towns have achieved SolSmart designation since the program launched in 2016.

“We are thrilled to receive the highest designation available,” said Mayor Mike Wiza. “Our Associate Planner, Kyle Kearns, has been working very hard on this, knowing it was a priority for us to make it easier for those who wish to install solar on their property. We are all very proud of this recognition.”

As a SolSmart designee, Stevens Point is helping solar companies reduce the cost of installations and pass those savings on to consumers.

The city says that “the actions Mayor Wiza and the City have taken will help encourage solar companies to do business in the area, driving economic development and creating local jobs.”

To receive designation, cities and counties streamline their local processes to reduce the time and money it takes to install a solar energy system.