EcoMotion  and the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) announced that they are providing expert technical assistance to help eight Southern California cities become national leaders on solar and storage. EcoMotion and SBCCOG successfully applied to serve as Advisors under the national SolSmart program, providing assistance to the cities of Carson, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, and Torrance.

SolSmart is a national designation program that recognizes municipalities and counties that eliminate barriers to solar energy development. Communities that meet the official SolSmart criteria receive designations of Gold, Silver, or Bronze. SolSmart is led by The Solar Foundation as well as the International City/County Management Association and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office.

To date, more than 220 communities nationwide have achieved SolSmart designations. EcoMotion guided Santa Monica to Gold designation in 2016.

“We’re going for Gold!” exclaimed Ted Flanigan, Founder and President of EcoMotion. “Think of it like the LEED rating system, but for cities that want to address the soft costs of going solar. EcoMotion has already begun providing no-cost technical expertise aimed at streamlining permitting processes, uncovering code restrictions, and expanding community outreach. We’ve seen the results in Santa Monica; designation really can lower a solar deal’s bottom line. We couldn’t be happier about partnering with the SBCCOG to bring SolSmart to the South Bay.”

The SBCCG hosted participating cities for an introductory workshop in November. “Bringing everyone together reinforces the collaborative aspect of our environmental mission,” said Hon. Britt Huff, Chair of the SBCCOG. “Increasing the adoption of solar and spurring economic growth are benefits that expand beyond any one city. We’re proud of the commitment our cities have made to streamline processes and advance solar policies. Other cities have expressed a desire to join the first eight.”

EcoMotion and the SBCCOG’s proposal was the only one selected from California through three rounds of nationwide competitive solicitations. “EcoMotion and the SBCCOG’s proposal went above and beyond,” said Zach Greene, Program Director at The Solar Foundation. “In addition to the standard process and policy guidance, their team will provide solar + storage feasibility assessments and host community workshops. Once participating SBCCOG cities reach designation, they’ll more than double the current number of SolSmart designees in Southern California and join more than 200 others from across the country.”

EcoMotion intends to replicate this model throughout the State. “There are 47 councils of governments in California,” said Ted Flanigan. “If each council committed its cities to seek designation, imagine how much we could drive down the cost of solar. SolSmart reduces the cost of going solar for residents and businesses, and EcoMotion and the SBCCOG have created a cooperative model that further eases its implementation and delivers benefits to everyone.”

About the South Bay Cities Council of Governments: The SBCCOG is a joint powers authority comprised of sixteen cities and the County of Los Angeles. Our mission is to provide a leadership forum for South Bay local governments to act collaboratively and advocate for regional issues with a focus on improving transportation and the environment and strengthening economic development. The South Bay region is environmentally sustainable, with a focus on reducing congestion and a healthy economy, due to the local government collaborations and advocacy facilitated and supported by the SBCCOG. Visit us at SouthBayCities.org.

About SolSmart: SolSmart is a national designation and technical assistance program that recognizes leading solar communities and empowers additional communities to expand their local solar markets. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office, SolSmart strives to cut red tape, drive greater solar deployment, and make it possible for even more American homes and businesses to access solar energy to meet their electricity needs. Learn more at SolSmart.org.