The city of Tigard recently received recognition from a national rating program, praising it for its improved solar permitting process. Pallets shown here are loaded with solar panels in a warehouse at Tualatin's A&R Solar, waiting to be delivered to customers.

Tigard’s future is bright when it comes to the use of solar power, according to a recent accolade bestowed to the city.

SolSmart, a national program that recognizes communities that have taken steps to address barriers to rooftop solar development, has awarded the city its Silver designation for improvements to Tigard’s solar permitting process.

The permitting changes is part of the city’s Climate Action Plan, which the Tigard City Council declared as a priority in 2021.

“That plan shows that in 2019, more than half of the city’s total greenhouse gas emissions were produced from powering buildings, which today rely on fossil-fuel derived energy,” said a statement from the city. “The city is working with SolSmart’s no-cost technical assistance team to simplify the process for allowing Tigard building owners to install … panels that produce non-emitting on-site electricity.”

Kenny Asher, Tigard’s community development director, said the city is coming to terms with “the reality of our climate crisis.”

“Cities have an important role to play in helping transition to a future that is clean and just. Climate problems may be global but the way we use our streets, our rooftops, our water — these are local decisions, and they require local action,” Asher said.

Receiving the SolSmart Silver designation meant staff trained on best practices for permitting solar energy system installations, making it faster, easier and more affordable for homeowners, businesses and others to install solar energy systems, according to Tigard officials.

Tigard has a plan to have a net zero greenhouse gas emission by 2050 — meaning the city removes as much greenhouse gas from the atmosphere as it produces.

Tigard is now working toward SolSmart Gold certification.

“We are grateful for SolSmart’s assistance in making our community solar (photovoltaic) ready,” Gary Pagenstecher, project planner, and the city’s lead on the project, said in a statement. “We are committed to facilitating the adoption of rooftop Solar PV as a renewable distributed energy resource in the city of Tigard to help meet our sustainability goals.”

Those wanting more information on the city’s push for solar installations, can contact Pagenstecher at garyp@tigard-or.gov.