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This briefing by RMI describes how local governments in the United States can use inclusive "Solarize" (community bulk-purchasing) campaigns to reduce the solar equity gap for low- and moderate-income (LMI) households. It highlights the role of the Inflation Reduction Act in supporting these efforts and provides evidence from RMI-supported campaigns that utilized community partnerships, targeted funding, and trusted messengers to increase solar adoption in marginalized communities.

RMI has developed the Local Energy Action Framework (LEAF), a step-by-step process designed to help US cities and counties prioritize energy projects and map electricity needs holistically to reach 100 percent clean electricity or carbon-neutrality goals.

This report by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) provides an overview of model standards and policy design criteria for permitting, inspection, interconnection, and net metering of distributed photovoltaic (PV) systems. It aims to help local governments and utilities reduce non-hardware balance of system costs—which can account for up to 40% of installed system costs—by adopting streamlined, standardized processes. The document highlights specific model frameworks such as the Solar ABCs Expedited Permit Process and IREC Model Interconnection Procedures, while detailing the existing solar-friendly policy landscape in Colorado.