City of Akron Receives Energy Efficiency Awards from SolSmart and Dynegy

The City of Akron has received two major recognitions for its leadership in clean energy and sustainability. Akron was awarded the SolSmart Silver designation, a national program recognizing local governments for solar-ready policies, practices, and communications that make it easier for residents and businesses to adopt solar energy. Additionally, the City was selected for the 2025 Dynegy & Homefield Energy Leadership Award in Community, reflecting Akron’s ongoing commitment to energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.

These honors underscore Akron’s progress in advancing practical, cost-saving sustainability initiatives that benefit residents while strengthening the community’s long-term environmental resilience.

"Akron is proving that sustainability and affordability can go hand in hand,” said Akron Mayor Shammas Malik. “These recognitions reflect the real work happening across our city to lower costs for residents, reduce emissions, and build a more resilient future. Through our Together for Akron vision, we are committed to making investments that deliver measurable results for our community.”

With the creation of Akron’s first Office of Sustainability and Resiliency, the City has accelerated efforts under the Living Together pillar of Together for Akron. Led by Director of Sustainability and Resiliency Casey Shevlin, Akron has completed its first Greenhouse Gas Inventory in 15 years, providing a comprehensive snapshot of current emissions and highlighting progress in landfill diversion, energy efficiency, and wastewater innovation. The City has also launched the planning process to create its first formal Climate Action Plan. 

“These awards reflect a citywide commitment to doing this work the right way, thoughtfully, collaboratively, and with a focus on real outcomes,” said Casey Shevlin, Director of Sustainability and Resiliency. “From improving solar readiness to reducing emissions across city operations, we are advancing sustainability to benefit Akron residents for years to come.”

SolSmart Silver Designation 

Akron is one of only three cities in Northeast Ohio, and the first in Summit County, to achieve at least a Silver designation through SolSmart. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and led by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), the program recognizes communities that remove barriers to solar energy adoption.

Akron earned this designation by improving permitting processes, clarifying zoning regulations, and expanding public-facing communication and resources. Through a regional cohort led by the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC), the City received free technical assistance to develop tools such as the “Going Solar in Akron” webpage, residential and commercial permitting checklists, and installation guidance for historic properties. An advisory report from the Zoning Division also confirmed that solar is permitted as an accessory use to permitted dwellings and commercial buildings across all major zoning districts, which signifies an accessible path for adoption.  

Dynegy & Homefield Energy Leadership Award in Community 

Annually, Dynegy recognizes recipients in the categories of energy management, innovation, engagement, sustainability, and community. Akron was awarded the 2025 award in community.  

Akron’s long-standing partnership with Dynegy continues to drive significant environmental impact. Through the City’s community electric aggregation program, Akron delivered more than 380 million kilowatt-hours of carbon-free electricity in 2023, equivalent to removing over 78,000 gasoline-powered vehicles from the road.

Since 2005, Akron has reduced community-wide carbon emissions by 29 percent and emissions from city operations by 54 percent. Efforts like the City’s community and municipal electric aggregation programs, modernization of the district energy system, integration of a unique anaerobic biodigestion process for wastewater treatment, and other initiatives have supported this progress. See the City’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory for more information.