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June 2026

Welcome to this special solar edition of Clearwater’s sustainability and resiliency newsletter!

We have so much news about solar power in Clearwater that we made a special newsletter to share what's happening.

Summer Solar Celebrations

North Greenwood Recreation Center and Countryside Library

The city of Clearwater will host solar celebrations this summer to mark new solar installations at North Greenwood Recreation Center, June 27, 1:30 to 3 p.m. and at Countryside Library, July 17, 10 to 11:30 a.m.

These free community events celebrate the completion of new solar systems that are helping power public facilities with clean, renewable energy. Residents are invited to attend to learn more about Clearwater’s expanding solar efforts, hear from city leadership and project partners, and see how these investments are reducing energy use, lowering costs and supporting long-term sustainability goals.

The installations are part of a broader initiative to bring solar to multiple city facilities, reinforcing Clearwater’s commitment to a more sustainable and resilient energy future.

Want to Go Solar? Switch Together Program is Now Live

Switch Together is a group solar-buying program offered by the national nonprofit Solar United Neighbors, and it is now available to Clearwater residents. Imagine going solar and saving on energy bills together with your neighbors. It makes it more affordable to install solar panels with significant discounts.

Optional add-ons, such as battery storage and electric vehicle chargers, are available. Switch Together offers free educational webinars and in-person events to explain the process and benefits of going solar.

The program conducts a rigorous review of installer qualifications, ensuring participants receive a high-quality installation from a trusted installer. It is free to register, and there is no obligation to purchase a system. 

Energy Excellence Award

The city of Clearwater is being recognized with Cenergistic’s Energy Excellence Award for its leadership in energy sustainability and solar initiatives. The award highlights the positive impact of the city’s energy program, including significant cost savings, reduced energy use, and the expansion of solar production across facilities.

These efforts have resulted in an estimated $165,607* in solar savings and more than 825,000 kWh of energy produced. This progress demonstrates a strong commitment to fiscal responsibility and environmental stewardship.

The award will be presented at the Clearwater Community Resiliency & Leisure Services Board at 4 p.m. June 25 at the Clearwater Main Library.

Note: *Estimated savings reflect cumulative production from solar installations online as of September 2025 and exclude planned future installations.

Future of the Region Award: Powering Clearwater's Resilient Energy Future 

Pictured: TBRPC Executive Director Wren Krahl, Pinellas County Commissioner René Flowers, Sustainability Manager Cassie Cordova, Councilmember Lina Teixeira, City Manager Jennifer Poirrier and Councilmember Michael Mannino accepting the award

The city of Clearwater proudly received a Future of the Region Award from the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council for its project, Powering Clearwater’s Resilient Energy Future at the 32nd Annual Future of the Region Awards May 15.

This recognition celebrates the outstanding work of many city departments and staff who contribute daily to improving efficiency and advancing innovative energy solutions. Through the Municipal Energy Savings Program and the installation of new solar projects across public facilities, Clearwater has reduced energy use, lowered costs and expanded its use of renewable energy.

The award reflects a shared commitment across the organization to fiscal stewardship, environmental responsibility and long-term resilience. Clearwater’s collaborative, forward-thinking approach continues to position the city as a regional leader in building a more sustainable future.

City Solar Installations Update

Pictured: Rooftop solar installation on North Greenwood Recreation Center

Solar power is expanding at Clearwater facilities. Installations of solar panels are complete at the Long Center, North Greenwood Recreation Center and Countryside Library. These projects help lower energy costs, allowing more funding to remain focused on the programs and amenities our community enjoys. A solar installation is also underway at Clearwater’s new city hall.

These four solar installations are projected to save the city approximately $6 million in energy costs over the next three decades, reducing long-term electricity expenses and helping protect against rising utility rates.

SolSmart Bronze Designation

The city of Clearwater has been recognized as a SolSmart Bronze community for making it faster, easier and more affordable to go solar. SolSmart is a national program that provides free, technical assistance to local governments to improve solar permitting, zoning and inspection processes.

Through the free, SolSmart Florida Cohort, Clearwater completed a zoning review, participated in solar permitting best-practices training and published a clear, solar permitting checklist and application resources on our website.

This designation reflects Clearwater’s commitment to streamlining solar permitting, installing solar on key city facilities and expanding access to solar for residents and businesses, all while saving time and money for both customers and the city.

Nonprofits Going Solar

Mt. Zion United Methodist Church

Mt. Zion United Methodist Church is taking meaningful steps toward sustainability by investing in energy efficiency and solar power. The church upgraded to LED lighting, programable thermostats and motion-censored light switches, and they installed a 37-kW solar system on its worship center. This effort was done with support from community fundraising and the Solar United Neighbors' Switch Together program.

Rev. Lee Hall-Perkins shared that going solar is both environmentally and economically beneficial, adding, “We live in the Sunshine State, so it makes sense to take advantage of that.”

Clearwater is excited to see community organizations taking steps toward greater sustainability and resilience efforts that benefit the entire Clearwater community.

Trinity Presbyterian Church

Trinity Presbyterian Church, an Earth Care congregation, has made sustainability a core part of its mission. After completing energy-efficiency upgrades, the church  installed an impressive 132.94 kW solar through the Solar United Neighbors' co-op program.  

The system now generates clean energy for the campus, supports a free electric vehicle charger for community use, and helps reduce long-term energy costs. Trinity also continues to open its campus for community programs and encourages other organizations to explore clean energy solutions.

Contact the Sustainability Team