The goal of this guide is to equip municipal permitting and zoning offices with best practices to facilitate and encourage the development of solar photovoltaic systems in the Commonwealth. Municipalities can implement the practices that make the most sense for their structure and capacity. Ultimately, regional consistency in PV permitting and zoning regulations will reduce the time and costs associated with solar and attract more highly skilled developers to all parts of Massachusetts. In turn, municipal, residential, and business consumers will have more choices when considering solar energy systems and will have access to lower prices for a clean, stable form of energy for their homes and facilities. Read more.
Additional Resources:
- Webinar Part 1 of 2: Streamlining the Solar Permitting Process and Developing Supportive Zoning Bylaws (March 2015) note: the recording has no audio until the 00:43 second mark.
- Webinar Part 2 of 2: Streamlining the Solar Permitting Process and Developing Supportive Zoning Bylaws (March 2015)
- January 2015 Workshop Presentation: Streamlining the Solar Permitting Process and Developing Supportive Zoning Bylaws
- Regional Solar Deployment Handbook, with MAPC highlighted as a Region in Action for the chapter, “Action: Streamline Permitting and Processes.” National Association of Regional Councils
- Model Zoning for the Regulation of Solar Energy Systems. Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources
- Policy Guidance for Regulating Solar Energy Systems. Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources