Mayor Hardberger acknowledges partnership with unveiling of sign at U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar America Cities Meeting in San Antonio, Texas.
 
Mayor Phil Hardberger announced today that the city of San Antonio has been designated as a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar America City. Through this partnership, San Antonio receives financial and technical assistance to fund innovative solar energy initiatives that are designed to facilitate mainstream adoption of solar energy and will serve as a model for other cities.
 
The announcement will formally be made at the DOE’s second annual Solar America Cities meeting being hosted in San Antonio March 31 through April 2, where local governments and national solar industry leaders are discussing ways to promote solar energy in today’s economic and policy environment. Mayor Hardberger will kick off a mayors’ roundtable discussion beginning at 2:30 p.m. today. The Solar America Cities annual meeting includes approximately 150 invited participants representing city teams from each of the 25 Solar America Cities.
 
“The Department of Energy’s investment in the city of San Antonio is welcome support for our commitment to implementing solar energy technologies and programs,” said Mayor Hardberger. “I am proud that our city is being recognized for our leadership in the planning and implementation of clean and renewable solar technology at the local level. Our partnership with the Department of Energy will provide a platform for us to continue our commitment while sharing our successes with other communities.”
 
San Antonio has the largest currently installed solar energy project in the state of Texas at the historic Pearl Brewery. The $1.35 million project includes the installation of a 200-kilowatt PV array on a 67,000-square-foot facility used for office, retail and residential use. In addition, municipally-owned CPS Energy has demonstrated its commitment to solar with a 100-megawatt RFP.
 
“The Department of Energy recognizes the important role cities play as champions of progressive renewable energy efforts, and we are especially excited to see San Antonio making this commitment,” said Tom Kimbis, the DOE’s director of the Solar America Cities program. “Solar is a key component of our national energy strategy, and through our Solar America Cities program we are working to improve the nation’s energy security and combat global climate change. Spotlighting progressive cities like San Antonio is helping us do just that.”
 
The Solar America Cities program was created to accelerate solar energy adoption in the nation’s electricity load centers. The 25 Solar America Cities, including San Antonio, are deploying innovative solar technologies and programs such as mapping tools and creative public-private solar financing arrangements. They are also integrating solar energy into city planning and emergency preparedness plans and conducting workshops for building code officials, solar installers and the public.
 
In addition to providing financial assistance, the DOE offers hands-on assistance from technical experts to help integrate solar technologies into energy planning, zoning and facilities. The process is meant to streamline local regulations and practices that affect solar adoption by residents and businesses.
 
For more information, please visit http://www.sanantonio.gov/oep/ and http://www.solaramericacities.energy.gov/.
 

Last update: 31 March 2009 at 09:44

Keywords : News, San Antonio, recognized, Solar, America City, commitment, adoption, solar energy

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