How Routt County Supports Solar

Routt County has taken the following steps to expand and support local solar:

• Committed to becoming a Sol Smart designated community.  In December 2020, Routt County and the City of Steamboat Springs received silver designation from Sol Smart.
• Included the future development of solar arrays in local planning initiatives and the Climate Action Plan.
• Invested in upgraded inverter and optimizers in January 2020 for existing Justice Center solar array for increased efficiency.
  
• Is a financial partner in support of the planning process for 2,000-kilowatt (2 megawatt) new regional solar array proposed for location within neighboring Moffat County 
• As of September 2020, the county is in final engineering and design with consultants for a new approximately 300-kilowatt solar array at Yampa Valley Regional Airport in Hayden to power the terminal and the airfield lighting system with planned installation in summer 2021
• Created an abbreviated process for residential or commercial solar panel encroachment into a property-line setback area.
• Installed a large 26.4-Kilowatt solar array on the Routt County Justice Center in 2008. Learn more about that system HERE.

SolSmart

Routt County is making it easier for residents and businesses to go solar by participating in SolSmart, a U.S. Department of Energy funded program designed to recognize communities nationwide that have taken steps to reduce barriers to going solar for residents and businesses. 

As of summer 2020, 23 entities in Colorado and 370 across the U.S. have earned SolSmart designation. Learn more about the SolSmart program.