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About
Through the Solar America Communities effort, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is working to rapidly increase the use and integration of solar energy in communities across the country.
DOE recognizes the important role of local governments in accelerating widespread solar energy adoption. Cities and counties are uniquely positioned to reduce global climate change, strengthen America's energy independence, and support the transition to a clean energy economy by converting to solar energy sources on the community level.
Through the DOE Solar America Communities activity, local governments are working to accelerate the adoption of solar energy on the local level. The activity is based on DOE’s three-pronged approach to identifying and overcoming barriers to urban solar implementation, then sharing lessons learned and best practices to facilitate replication across the nation:
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The original Solar America Cities Partnerships were cooperative agreements between DOE and 25 large U.S. cities established in 2007 and 2008 to develop comprehensive, city-wide approaches to increasing solar energy use. Learn more about the original 25 Solar America cities.
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Solar America Cities Special Projects, funded in 2009 through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, tackle key barriers to urban solar energy use that were identified through the 25 city partnerships. Read more about these special projects.
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Solar America Communities Outreach Partnership is an effort to share the best practices developed through the partnerships and special projects with hundreds of other local governments, accelerating solar energy adoption across the United States. Learn more about the outreach partnership.
2007 Solar America Cities Awardees
On June 20, 2007, the U.S. Department of Energy named the following
13 cities as Solar America Cities:
2008 Solar America Cities Awardees
On March 28, 2008, the U.S. Department of Energy named the following 12 cities as Solar America Cities:
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Fact Sheets And Presentations
The Solar America Cities Awards (PDF 444KB) (Download Acrobat Reader) Solar America Cities Project Summaries (PDF 4.0MB) (Download Acrobat Reader)
In 2005 IBM Tivoli installed a 20 kW solar system
Credit: John Messerschmidt, DUCE Construction
7.2 kilowatt PV system on the roof of The Point Community Development Corporation’s building in the Bronx.
Credit: Adam Friedberg
Coney Island’s Stillwell Avenue Terminal’s low-cost, thin-film photovoltaic panels (210kW) were combined with clear glass in custom glazing units to provide the right balance among shelter, daylighting, and electricity generation.
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