Sunshot Solar Communities
SunShot Solar Communities is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) program designed to increase the use and integration of solar energy in communities across the United States. The International City/County Management Association and ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA were selected by DOE to assist local governments throughout the United States implement best practices and accelerate the adoption of solar energy. For more information, visit http://solaramericacommunities.energy.gov/.
Together, the DOE, MARC and other regions are working to increase the use and integration of solar energy in communities across the country.
One strategy is through the sharing of information. The DOE has produced a number of reports for both citizens and governments on many of the frequently asked questions of solar energy.
Resources
- A Report on the Potential for Solar Energy Initiatives in the Greater Kansas City Area from the Regional Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy Initiative.
- Solar Powering Your Community
This report is a comprehensive resource to assist local governments and stakeholders in building sustainable local solar markets. This second edition of the guide was updated to include new market developments and innovations for advancing local solar markets that have emerged since the first edition was released in 2009. This updated edition also contains the most recent lessons and successes from the original 25 Solar America Cities and other communities promoting solar energy. The guide introduces a range of policy and program options that have been successfully field tested in cities and counties around the country.
- Economic Impacts from the Boulder County, Colorado, ClimateSmart Loan Program: Using Property-Assessed Clean Energy Financing
This new report explores the economic effects of the financing structure Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects at the local level. In addition, it identifies job growth, economic activity, and energy savings.
- A Guide to Community Solar: Utility, Private, and Non-profit Project Development
This report evaluates different financial structures that can be used to deploy community solar projects and focuses on the tax and legal implications of each structure. The information provided, will assist policy makers, utilities, and community groups to make the appropriate decisions related to their community solar projects.
- Homeowners Guide to Financing a Grid-Connected Solar Electric System
This guide explains multiple financing options available to homeowners considering the installation of a PV system. The report includes short descriptions and a table comparison of financing a PV system though a cash purchase, home equity loan, solar lease, residential PPA, and a PACE financing program.
- The Solarize Guidebook: A Community Guide to Collective Purchasing of Residential PV Systems
This guidebook describes the key elements of the Solarize campaigns in Portland and offers several program refinements from projects beyond Portland. The guidebook provides lessons, considerations, and step-by-step plans for project organizers to replicate the success of Solarize Portland.
- Solar Photovoltaic Economic Development:
This report covers how to build and grow a local PV industry.
- Economic Impacts from the Boulder County, Colorado, ClimateSmart Loan Program
A case studing on using Property Assessed Clean Energy financing.
- Integrating Photovoltaic Systems into Low-Income Housing Developments:
A case study on the creation of a new residential financing model and low-income resident job training program.
- Implementing Solar PV Projects on Historic Buildings and in Historic Districts Report
- Comparing Germany and California’s Interconnection Processes for PV Systems Report
- Solar America Communities Lessons Learned