DOE Announces Up to $10.5 Million in Solar Energy Education for Local Governments

July 07, 2009

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced a funding opportunity for up to $10.5 million to increase the ability of local governments to accelerate solar energy adoption and workforce development. Funding for the five-year awards is subject to annual appropriations.

Through this new funding opportunity, DOE will provide local governments across the U.S. with useful, timely information on increasing solar energy use.

Through the Solar America Cities program, a partnership effort with 25 large U.S. cities, DOE has developed guides, case studies, and tool kits to assist local governments in promoting solar energy. Under this new effort, DOE will partner with outreach organizations to get these tools into the hands of local government officials and stakeholders.

DOE has encouraged local governments to take a comprehensive approach to solar energy adoption; one that includes workforce development and green jobs training, economic development through support for a local solar industry, and financial incentive programs that help citizens make investments in solar energy. By facilitating peer-to-peer information sharing, DOE will empower local governments to integrate solar energy into their communities.

Applications are due by October 15, 2009, and DOE anticipates announcing selections no later than December 15, 2009.

For information, see the Solar Energy Technologies Program Financial Opportunities Web page. Applications must be submitted through FedConnect.

About Solar America Cities

DOE's Solar America Cities partnership supports 25 cities committed to making solar a mainstream energy source. DOE provides financial and technical assistance to support the cities’ innovative efforts to accelerate the adoption of solar energy technologies.

The Solar America Cities program has engaged more than 180 organizations, including municipal, county, and state agencies, solar companies, universities, utilities, and non-profit organizations. These partners have made a commitment to power their cities with clean, safe, reliable solar energy. The Solar America Cities program promotes photovolatics and concentrating solar power technologies (both produce electricity), as well as solar water heating and space heating and cooling.

For more information about other DOE efforts, visit the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Web site.