SOLAR CITIES

The leaders at the city and community levels clearly see what national leaders have only begun to realize. A movement from the hearts and heartlands of the country is demanding New Energy.

Dept. of Energy Chooses Austin as ‘Solar Energy City’
June 21, 2007 (MyFox)

WHO
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Austin Mayor Will Wynn
averaged annual insolation (click to enlarge)

WHAT
DOE named Ausin, TX, a “Solar America City” along with 12 other US cities who have a high degree of commitment to solar energy. The honor wins these cities technical and financial assistance.

WHEN
The 2007 Solar America City awards are the first such awards given by DOE.

WHERE
Austin, TX, Ann Arbor, MI; Berkeley, CA; Boston, MA, Madison, WI; New Orleans, LA; New York, NY; Pittsburgh, PA; Portland, OR; Salt Lake City, UT; San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; and Tucson, AZ.

WHY
- Austin will get $185,000 in grants. Austin Energy, the local utility, will assess city rooftops for expansion in solar and wind installations along existing transmission paths.
- With matching grants, Austin Energy will give solar systems to six schools.

QUOTES
Wynn: "Being named a Solar America City is yet another accolade for this incredible asset our community has in Austin Energy…Austin Energy has built one of the most comprehensive solar energy programs in the country. This grant money will help us expand our reach even further in deploying solar systems to homes, offices and schools and should also speed our progress in developing a large, concentrated solar farm in West Texas."