The City of Tempe, in partnership with the US Department of Energy, launched SolarAPP+, an online platform that streamlines the permitting process for eligible residential rooftop solar and battery storage systems. Building Safety Staff worked across departments to implement the platform, coordinate with the national SolarAPP+ program, and develop guidance materials so contractors and residents can easily understand the new process.

By adopting this platform, Tempe joins a growing network of communities using SolarAPP+ to reduce permitting timelines, maintain safety standards, and make it easier for residents to install rooftop solar and energy storage systems.

The platform also supports Tempe’s broader sustainability goals by removing common barriers to residential solar adoption and helping more residents access clean, locally generated energy.

To learn more about project eligibility, the submittal process, and permit requirements, visit the Residential Plan Review webpage.

 SolSmart: Solar Technical Assistance 

The City of Tempe has been awarded SolSmart Silver designation by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), recognizing the City’s leadership and ongoing efforts to make rooftop solar energy more affordable and accessible for residents and businesses. 

This designation reflects Tempe’s commitment to reducing barriers to solar adoption and creating a more transparent, solar-friendly process. Key actions that contributed to this recognition include:

• Reviewing and updating the City’s solar zoning code to make it clearer, more transparent, and easier to navigate for property owners and developers
• Requiring new municipal buildings to be solar ready
• Training permitting staff on best practices for permitting solar photovoltaic and solar-plus-storage systems
• Installing solar photovoltaic systems on municipal facilities
• Providing online resources on solar financing options and consumer protection guides (available at www.tempe.gov/EnergyResourceHub)
• Publishing an online dashboard that tracks the number of solar permits issued by the City (available at www.tempe.gov/BuildingSafety)

Representatives from RUCO, Arizona PIRG Education Fund and Wildfire met with Tempe residents to discuss APS’s upcoming rate case and what it means for households. Access the full presentation here. (PDF) 

The public comment period for the APS rate case has closed. During that time, the City provided information about public comment opportunities, including hearing dates and times, participation instructions, and guidance on how to submit verbal comments or letters.

Also, check out these useful links:

• Arizona Public Service (APS) Rate Case Overview
• The potential impact on households and businesses

To connect directly with RUCO and Arizona PIRG Education Fund, both formal intervenors in the case who can offer ongoing information about the case, please reach out to:

Cynthia Zwick, Director, RUCO: czwick@azruco.gov
Diane E. Brown, Executive Director, Arizona PIRG Education Fund: dbrown@arizonapirg.org

This event gave residents the chance to connect directly with the Residential Utility Consumer Office (RUCO), the state agency that advocates for residential utility customers. RUCO hosted a presentation (with contributions from AZPIRG and Wildfire), followed by a Q&A focused on the possible rate increase coming to APS customers. They explained what the increase could mean for residents and how to engage with the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC), the state body that decides all APS rate cases.

The goal was to also hear from residential customers about the potential impact of this case on their families and communities. Additionally, the presenting organizations, along with other local groups, had tables with information on:

• Utility bill assistance programs
• Rooftop solar resources
• Other energy and community support services

The event, held on November 20, 2025, took place from 6–8 p.m. at the Westside Multi-Generational Center (Senior Center Room), 715 W 5th St, Tempe, AZ 85281.

 Access the full presentation here (PDF)

The City of Tempe, in partnership with SRP, APS, and TCAA, is offering free hybrid energy education workshops at the EnVision Center in English and Spanish. Residents can attend in person or online to connect with utility representatives and learn about energy-saving programs. Hosted by APS and SRP staff, sessions will cover utility bill assistance and discount programs. TCAA will share information on their resources, including bill assistance, housing support, food aid, senior services, and workforce development. 

Workshop Schedule: 

In Person Location: EnVision Center at 1310 E Apache Blvd, Tempe, AZ 85281 

• April 10 & June 12, 12-1 p.m. and 5-6 p.m. 
• Sign up to our newsletter to receive updates on future workshops! 

Learn about Tempe's first Residential Energy Equity Roadmap, which outlines the direction of programs, policies, and infrastructure recommendations aimed at helping residents meet their energy use and extreme heat challenges. City Council formally adopted the Residential Energy Equity Roadmap on March 6, 2025.   

View the Roadmap: 

• English Version: Residential Energy Equity Roadmap
• Versión Español: Hoja de Ruta de Equidad Energética Residencial 

Community Engagement:  

• Public Meetings: January 14, 2025 (12-1 p.m. and 5-6 p.m.) – presentation material (PDF) & meeting recording
• Sustainability and Resilience Commission Meeting: January 13, 2025 – presentation material
•  Online Survey: Tempe Forum Link - Click link to view Responses 

The Sustainability and Resilience Office held a series of bilingual workshops community to provide feedback on energy and extreme heat challenges. Members of the advisory group:

• Learned about energy and resilience to extreme heat initiatives happening in Tempe and the country.
• Advised the city on the types of investments that should be made to address residential energy efficiency and neighborhood-level urban cooling needs.
• Co-created the city’s first Energy Equity Roadmap that will be used to pursue funding for the community identified investments.
• Advised on the direction of programs, policies, and infrastructure recommendations for Tempe City Council.

Workshop Presentation Material 

• February 6, 2024 – Introduction
• March 5, 2024 – Data Sharing and Collecting
• April 2, 2024 – Residential Energy Programs
• May 7, 2024 – Urban Cooling 1
• June 4, 2024 – Residential Energy Policies
• August 6, 2024 – Urban Cooling 2
• September 3, 2024 – Energy Grid Diversification
• October 1, 2024 – Residential Energy Equity Roadmap

Available resources to learn more about Energy Equity and Climate Justice:

• American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE)
• University of California Center for Climate Justice

Items included in the energy kits

Residents arriving to the energy kit pick up site

• In the summer of 2023, the Sustainability and Resilience Office distributed 48 home energy kits, containing LED bulbs, smart plugs, air filters and smart strips to help lower home energy costs and utility stipends to help with electric bills.
• The kits were distributed to community members from the Victory Acres, Escalante and Alegre neighborhoods because of their low household income and high heat vulnerability, median land surface temperatures and poverty rate.
• Tempe’s SRO partnered with Retail, Arts, Innovation and Livability CDC (RAIL CDC) to hold engagement events within the three neighborhoods to find out what energy-efficient items residents would find helpful. 
•  The pilot project feeds into the larger energy equity work the city is planning to do across Tempe. Additional community conversations will be held in 2024 through the Climate Justice Advisory Group to focus on long-term planning around energy equity and heat relief. Feedback from these workshops will inform the city on the types of programs, policies and infrastructure it needs.