Easton moves toward solar energy use through SolSmart, though federal cuts pose challenge

The City of Easton is moving forward with a new initiative aimed at utilizing more solar energy.

On Wednesday, city council officially approved a resolution to partner with SolSmart, a national program that provides local governments with no-cost technical assistance to expand solar energy adoption and streamline permitting and zoning processes.

Brandon Sullivan, the city’s sustainability coordinator, said SolSmart will help the city explore viable installation sites, including city hall and parking garages, while also guiding the use of federal and state incentives.

The Inflation Reduction Act currently allows municipalities to receive a 30% tax credit for solar projects, though Trump’s bill passed on July 4 rolls back parts of the Inflation Reduction Act, phasing out tax credits for clean energy, electric vehicles, and energy-efficient housing.

“There are incentives in there for both residents and governments across the United States that allow them to cover 30% of costs through what we call the ITC credit,” Sullivan said. “That is now suddenly going away at the end of the year.”

While SolSmart itself is not at risk of disappearing, Sullivan urged the city to take advantage of available financial support before the deadline.

SolSmart is led by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council and the International City/County Management Association, with funding originally provided by the United States Department of Energy.

It currently supports over 550 municipalities across 44 states. There are nearly 30 municipalities in Pennsylvania that have received designations.

Sullivan said Bethlehem joined SolSmart in May and is awaiting designation.

The city has already completed preliminary steps toward SolSmart certification, including a PZ-1 zoning review that assesses a community’s zoning regulations to identify potential barriers to solar energy development.

The program is designed to help cities like Easton update local codes and implement solar-friendly policies. Easton’s participation aligns with the city’s Climate Action Plan, Sullivan explained, which calls for rooftop solar installation on 20% of low and moderate-income homes by 2030.

Current adoption rates remain low, Sullivan said.

“Solar in the city of Easton is only on 56 homes in the entire city, totaling less than 1% of all homes,” he said.

He noted that the program will position Easton as a solar leader in the Lehigh Valley region.

“It enables us as a city to be able to continue to use our resources properly, as well as get the free technical assistance and additional resources needed to push for solar to meet the needs of our climate action plan,” Sullivan said.

Chelsea McClure can be reached at cmcclure@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on instagram at @chelsealehighvalley.