The Metropolitan Land Planning Act requires that all local comprehensive plans contain “an element for the protection and development of access to direct sunlight for solar energy systems.” With new data, our ability to measure solar as a natural resource has greatly improved. As a result, communities have four (4) minimum requirements to fulfill in their 2040 comprehensive plan updates.
Below you will find the most up-to-date catalogue of resources to support your community's solar energy planning and implementation efforts. These resources include useful guides, organizations, and tools from across the State of Minnesota, the Upper Midwest, and the nation. The Council's Local Planning Assistance unit collected these resources in collaboration with the Great Plains Institute, Minnesota GreenStep Cities, the McKnight Foundation, and the SolSmart Program. SolSmart provides no-cost technical assistance from a team of national experts who work with local governments to evaluate programs and practices that impact solar markets, and identify high-prospect opportunities for improvement.