City of Lakeland Receives SolSmart Silver Designation - City News Blog
LAKELAND, FL (June 8, 2023) | The City of Lakeland received a Silver designation from the national SolSmart program for encouraging the growth of clean, affordable solar energy at the local level. As a SolSmart Silver designee, the City of Lakeland has adopted nationally recognized best practices to advance solar market growth. City staff worked with SolSmart's technical assistance team to increase local knowledge of solar energy so the entire community can benefit.
The City of Lakeland has experienced a huge increase in solar permitting applications over the past several years. In 2018 there were 22 permits for residential solar applications. This past year there were 285. The City’s Building Inspection Division completed a thorough review of the application process with the goal to minimize the number of code requirements and reduce the turnaround time for permits. The Building Division studied more than 120 jurisdictions around the country to find best practices. This is how Lakeland was introduced to the SolSmart program from the US Department of Energy.=
The City of Lakeland was awarded the Silver designation from SolSmart for improving permitting and inspection, improving planning and zoning hurdles, streamlining operations and increasing community engagement. Lakeland Electric, the City owned utility has approximately 1,000 solar customers and this number has more than doubled since 2020. New interconnections are rising steadily with Lakeland Electric adding 40-50 new solar customers per month.
Lakeland Electric believes in solar, in fact the utility has five solar farm locations that produce over 17.5 million kWh per year. This amount of solar energy is enough to power approximately 1,650 houses using an average of 10,634 kWh per year.
Local governments achieve SolSmart designation by meeting established criteria that are based on national best practices for building solar-friendly communities. The SolSmart team of experts offers technical assistance and resources to help communities put these practices into action. Those that meet the criteria are designated SolSmart Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Bronze. SolSmart designees are now in 43 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Any city, town, county, and regional organization is eligible to join the program. Interested communities can learn more at SolSmart.org.
Contact
Kevin Cook
Director of Communications
City of Lakeland
863.834.6264
Kevin.Cook@LakelandGov.net
About Lakeland
The City of Lakeland was incorporated in January 1885 and has grown to become one of the largest inland communities in Florida. With a current population of over 100,000 Lakeland continues to grow. It has been designated a Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area by the US Census Bureau for over 30 years. With tourist attractions and gulf beaches only an hour away, Lakeland continues to capitalize on its ideal central Florida location along the I-4 corridor. The City owns and operates Lakeland Electric, the third largest publicly owned utility in Florida and it was one of the first to offer power in the Sunshine State over 115 years ago.
For additional information about the City of Lakeland, please visit www.lakelandgov.net. Citizens are also invited to follow the City on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Vimeo, Snapchat and Nextdoor. Citizens can find the City of Lakeland on these social media platforms by searching lakelandgov.
For additional information about the City of Lakeland, please explore LakelandGov.net.
Citizens are also invited to follow the City on social media.