Department of Energy Solar America Cities Program
The U.S. Department of Energy has named Houston as one of the 25 U.S. Solar America Cities working to accelerate the adoption of solar energy technologies for a cleaner, more secure energy future.Through the Solar America Cities effort, the DOE is working to rapidly increase the use and integration of solar energy in communities across the country.
DOE recognizes the important role role of local governments in accelerating widespread solar energy adoption. As the nation's centers of electricity consumption, cities 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.
DOE has taken a three-pronged approach to indentifying and overcoming barriers to urban solar implementation, then sharing lessons learned and best practices to facilitate replication across the nation.
- Solar America Cities Partnerships are cooperative agreements between DOE and 25 large U.S. cities to develop comprehensive, city-wide approaches to increasing solar energy use.
- Solar America Cities Special Projects, funded 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.
- Solar America Cities Technical Outreach is an effort to share the best practices developed through the partnerships and special projects with hundreds of other local governments, accelerating solar
Solar Houston Initiative
The Solar Houston Initiative is focused on identifying and over-coming barriers associated with establishing a solar infrastructure that is incorporated into the overall energy system of the City of Houston. Cities across the country are realizing the benefits of solar energy:
- Power from secure, domestic energy
- Sustainable, "green" urban development
- Clean energy production that helps meet greenhouse gas reduction targets and climate change goals
- Development of new economic opportunities.
The Solar Houston Initiative will leverage the expertise of diverse and experienced project partners to achieve a sustainable solar infrastructure in the city. Project partners will develop a plan to make solar energy cost-competitive by 2015 through the following: Develop and implement significant market-changing activities including:
- The advancement of current and new technologies
- Public outreach
- Education programs.
- Develop and implement significant market-changing activities including:
- Houston-specific solar energy advancement policies
- Regulations and legislation that promote cost-effective solar energy utilization
- Identify high visibility locations for demonstration sites and install solar energy systems
- Implement solar programs in focused neighborhoods such as affordable housing areas
- Work with schools to integrate solar education into the curriculum
Program Management and Partners
The City of Houston selected Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) to manage the Solar Houston Initiative. HARC established an advisory council as well as a correspondence group. The 14-member advisory council, which consists of representatives from local businesses, universities, school districts, environmental organizations, and foundations, meets quarterly to review plans and discuss progress. The correspondence group consists of stakeholders interested in promoting solar energy technologies thorugh the city. Members of the group receive project updates that they can us to inform their networks. In addition, correspondence group members can make suggestions to the advisory council about the direction and progress of the project through HARC.
Houston Partners include:
- BP America
- CenterPoint
- City of Houston (Project Lead)
- Clinton Climate Initiative
- Discovery Green Conservancy
- Greater Houston Builders Association
- Houston Advanced Research Center
- Houston Community College Association
- Houston Endowment
- Houston Habitat for Humanity
- Houston Independent School District
- NASA
- Texas State Energy Conservation Office
- U.S. Green Building Council
- University of Houston