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RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO CONTINUE TO USE THE RESOURCES OF THE SOLSMART PROGRAM TO FURTHER IMPROVE SOLAR ENERGY PERMITTING PROCESSES AND TO SEEK DESIGNATION AS A SOLSMART GOLD COUNTY; AND DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO PROVIDE A REPORT TO THE BOARD WITHIN 90 DAYS

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WHEREAS, solar photovoltaic energy is an alternative for producing electricity that is sustainable and safe; and
WHEREAS, solar photovoltaic energy offers many potential benefits, including lower electricity costs for homeowners, businesses and governments, local jobs and economic development, reduced dependence on imported fuels, pollution-free electricity generation, and a more resilient electric grid; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County has been a leader and an advocate of making solar energy available and affordable to its residents; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County was the lead organization under a U.S. Department of Energy grant award entitled Rooftop Solar Challenge Agreement Number DE-FOA-00078 (�Go SOLAR-Florida�); and
WHEREAS, in connection with the Go SOLAR-Florida grant, this Board passed Resolution No. R-927-14 approving an interlocal agreement between Miami-Dade County and Broward County to develop and implement an online permitting solution to improve the permitting process for the installation of solar energy systems for residents; and
WHEREAS, SolSmart is a national designation program designed to recognize cities and counties that have taken key steps to address local barriers to solar energy and otherwise foster the growth of strong local solar markets; and
WHEREAS, SolSmart is led by the Solar Foundation, the International City/County Management Association, and a team of national solar experts from partner organizations, including the National Association of Counties, and is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office; and
WHEREAS, the SolSmart program provides no-cost technical assistance to help local governments become �open for solar businesses� and recognizes local government efforts through designations of SolSmart Gold, Silver, and Bronze; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County recently sought and achieved a SolSmart Bronze rating through the SolSmart program; and
WHEREAS, this Board desires that Miami-Dade County continue to be a local government leader in facilitating the use of solar energy and strive to be recognized as a SolSmart Gold County,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Directs the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to continue to use the resources of the SolSmart program and further improve the permitting process for solar installations for residences and businesses and strive to become national leaders in the field by actively seeking designation as a SolSmart Gold County.
Section 2. Directs the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to submit a report to this Board within 90 days of the effective date of this resolution and place the completed report on an agenda of the Board pursuant to Ordinance No. 14-65. The report shall, at a minimum, include details describing the County�s current permitting process for the installation of rooftop solar photovoltaic energy systems and actions the County has taken and will take to become a certified SolSmart Gold County.