U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Solar Energy Technologies Program – Solar America Initiative

Issues and Public Policy

This 7-kilowatt photovoltaic awning is situated above the 8th floor windows of the 26-story University Center Tower on the Texas Medical Center campus in Houston, Texas.

Building-integrated PV awnings at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston provide electricity for the building and shading in summer to offset air conditioning loads.

The Solar America Initiative aims to reduce market barriers for solar energy technologies through market transformation activities to identify best practices for such public policy and issues as:

  • Insurance and finance options
  • Product certification
  • Codes and standards that facilitate solar technology installation
  • Net metering and interconnection standards.

Market transformation activities involving issues and public policy will accomplish the following:

  • Identify and address unique market issues that prevent the acceptance of solar technologies in the mainstream marketplace
  • Address public policy issues such as net metering, interconnection agreements, codes and standards, and incentive programs to stimulate market growth in the United States.

Projects

Solar America Board of Codes and Standards (SolarABCs)