Solar America Cities

Solar America Cities is an activity of the Solar America Initiative. Twenty-five cities across the U.S. are partnering with DOE to support the goals of SAI. These cities are committed to accelerating the adoption of solar energy technologies at the local level.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar America Initiative seeks to form strategic partnerships with U.S. cities to accelerate the adoption of solar technology at the local level. This includes engaging city governments as important end users of energy, key intermediaries to other end users within their jurisdiction, and regulatory entities. DOE announced the first funding awards June 2007 and named 13 U.S. cities Solar America Cities. The resulting interest from other cities across the nation led to a 2008 Funding Opportunity. The 2008 awardees were announced March 28, 2008. All 2007 and 2008 winning cities are listed below.

Project Description:

DOE seeks to provide support to cities ready to take a comprehensive, systemic, city-wide approach to solar technology that facilitates mainstream adoption and provides a model for other cities. The selected cities receive funding and technical support to develop a fully scoped, city-wide, solar implementation plan to:

Integrate solar technology into city energy planning and facilities
Streamline city-level regulations and practices that affect solar adoption by residents and local businesses (e.g. permitting, inspections, local codes)
Promote solar technology among residents and local businesses (e.g. outreach, curriculum development and/or implementation, incentive programs, etc.).

FOA#:

2007: DE-PS36-07GO97007
2008: DE-PS36-08-GO98003

DOE/Partner Cost Share (in USD and %):

Up to $2.5 M (with technical assistance) 50% / 50%

Goal:

Partner with cities committed to achieving a sustainable solar infrastructure through a comprehensive, city-wide approach to solar technology that facilitates mainstream adoption and provides a model for other cities to follow.

2007 Awardees: On June 20, 2007, the U.S. Department of Energy named the following 13 cities as Solar America Cities: 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 Tucson, AZ	2008 Awardees On March 28, 2008, the U.S. Department of Energy named the following 12 cities as Solar America Cities: Denver, CO Houston, TX Knoxville, TN Milwaukee, WI Minneapolis - St. Paul, MN Orlando, FL Philadelphia, PA Sacramento, CA San Antonio, TX San Jose, CA Santa Rosa, CA Seattle, WA

Publications:

Overview of the Solar America Cities Awards (PDF 1.3 MB) Download Adobe Reader.