U.S. selects 13 inaugural solar cities

WASHINGTON, DC, USA, July 25, 2007. The U.S. Department of Energy has named 13 cities as inaugural ‘Solar America Cities’ for their high commitment to the adoption of solar technology at local level.

The cities include Ann Arbor (MI), Austin (TX), Berkeley (CA), Boston (MA), Madison (WI), New Orleans (LA), New York City (NY), Pittsburgh (PA), Portland (OR), Salt Lake City (UT), San Diego (CA), San Francisco (CA) and Tucson (AZ). The awards are intended to accelerate solar adoption in electricity load centres by supporting innovative local efforts with financial and technical assistance.

The selected cities are prepared to take a “comprehensive, city-wide approach to solar technology that facilitates mainstream adoption through a variety of approaches,” explains DOE. Solar technologies promoted by Solar America Cities include photovoltaics, concentrating solar power and solar water/air heating technologies.

Each city submitted a proposal outlining its plans to build a sustainable solar infrastructure, streamline city-level regulations and promote mainstream solar technology adoption among residents and businesses. A competitive selection process used evaluation criteria focussed on the demonstration of a comprehensive city government approach to solar planning, including methods to further market expansion and to remove local market barriers.

Selected cities demonstrated a level of commitment to promote solar throughout the city, involving local government officials, utilities and private partners. City goals include the integration of solar energy into city planning and emergency preparedness plans; development of a comprehensive city government approach to solar implementation, involving key stakeholders, utilities, and private partners; large-scale solar installations; reduction in market barriers by activities such as streamlining solar-friendly permitting and zoning; creation of city-level solar incentives such as solar rebates, financial assistance, tax credits, property tax abatements, and/or tax incentives to solar manufacturers who locate in the city; increased public awareness through inclusion of promotions and city-wide education; inclusion of renewable energy curriculum material in public schools; and widespread increase in solar adoption.

Each winning city is eligible for US$200,000 in DOE funding, with $2 million available in technical assistance to support projects this year with an additional $600,000 for projects in 2008. Technical assistance is provided by DOE, its national laboratories, and experts in city planning, technology selection, project financing, building codes, architecture, and community outreach communications.

Click here for more info...

To receive news and features like this direct to your inbox sign-up for the Refocus Weekly enewsletter.

Simply register your details to receive a fortnightly roundup of the latest news from the renewables industries direct to your inbox.

If you would like to advertise in the enewsletter please contact our sales team.

If you have some news for the renewables industry or would like to comment on any of the articles on this site, contact our editorial team.

You can also access the full list of contacts here.