Many large-scale energy customers, from local governments to corporations, have set ambitious clean energy goals. Utility investments in renewables in the overall generation mix are important to achieving them. But there can be a number of barriers to the inclusion of solar and other renewables in utility long-term planning, including cost and technology assumptions, modeling approaches and scenario development. Large-scale energy customers and utilities have an opportunity and are increasingly taking action to update practices and address these barriers. This presentation highlights ways that solar energy is currently considered and can be improved in utility long-term planning, and how customers are engaging in these plans to advance their clean energy goals.