Gov. Jay Inslee today proclaimed the cities of Bellevue, Edmonds, Kirkland, Mercer Island and Seattle “Northwest Solar Communities,” acknowledging their various initiatives that have increased residential solar installations by nearly 200 percent since 2013.

“Kirkland is pleased to be among Northwest Solar Community cities committed to and recognized for simplifying permit processes that encourage the use of clean, renewal energy,” said Kirkland Mayor Amy Walen. “We are proud that our online permitting makes it easier for residents to install rooftop solar panels which save money and save the environment.”

The Northwest Solar Communities program joined local governments, utilities, and solar industry stakeholders from Washington and Oregon to bring down the cost of solar for homeowners through actions such as simplifying and standardizing permitting and interconnection, and support for planning and financing.

By making it easier and less expensive to install solar on homes, these cities achieved a 197 percent increase in annual installations. Clean technology, emphasizing solar, is one of seven key areas for action outlined in Inslee’s executive order 14-04 to reduce carbon pollution in Washington state and improve energy independence through use of clean energy. The Department of Commerce is charged with working with WSU and others to develop and deploy new renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

“It is terrific to see cities rising to the climate challenge and their local utilities supporting those efforts,” Inslee said. “Local governments have, over the 18 months, worked to make their communities ‘Open for Solar Business‘ by promoting solar education and adopting a number of best practices, including online permitting, predictable, flat fees, and group purchase campaigns – they are leading by example and others around the state and the country are watching and learning from us.”

While solar accounts for just a tiny fraction of the energy produced in Washington state, the number of solar systems installed has grown steadily by about 30 percent per year. Today, solar represents 11.2 Megawatts of power capacity – enough to power more than 2,000 homes.

The U.S. Department of Energy recognized our state’s leadership by providing funding to the Washington State Department of Commerce for the Northwest Solar Communities program to make solar energy cost competitive through initiatives such as the Sunshot Rooftop Solar Challenge.

“This progress resulted from strong public-private partnerships,” said Commerce Director Brian Bonlender. “The Utilities and Transportation Commission and utilities have worked to simplify interconnection, the State Building Code Council has simplified permitting requirements that were supported by the Washington Association of Building Officials, and the WSU Energy Extension Program is training building inspectors.”

For more information, visit www.nwsolarcommunities.org. Clean Energy, including ongoing support for solar, is part of the Governor’s 2015 Carbon Pollution Reduction proposals.