Tucson will receive a share of $87 million from U.S. Department of Energy
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is welcoming new federal funds aimed at advancing the use of solar energy in Tucson and making it easier for consumers to get comprehensive information on solar from a one-stop center.
The U.S. Department of Energy announced today that Tucson was awarded $389,000 for phase two of its solar initiative.
“This award will allow the city of Tucson to continue its leadership in the use of solar energy,” said Giffords, a member of the House Science and Technology Committee. “These federal funds will be put to very good use.”
The award was announced by Energy Secretary Steven Chu at the opening of the Energy Department’s Solar Decathlon on the National Mall. The decathlon is an international collegiate event in which 20 student teams – including one from the University of Arizona – compete to design, build, and operate highly energy-efficient, completely solar-powered houses.
Chu’s announcement comes one day after the Science and Technology Committee passed and sent to the full house Giffords’ Solar Technology Roadmap Act. The bill would require the Department of Energy to appoint a group of experts to create a long-term plan to guide solar energy research and its transition into commercial uses.
Tucson is one of 25 cities designated as a Solar America City by the Department of Energy. Tucson currently has solar photovoltaic panels at 14 locations, providing 1.1 megawatts of power.
“It has been 10 years since we’ve put solar panels on our first city building,” said Bruce Plenk, solar energy coordinator for the city.
“Tucson is a leader, both regionally and nationally in solar,” Plenk said. “This grant means that we can continue to have people work for the city who are focusing on solar instead of it being a small part of their job.”
Today’s award to the city of Tucson will finance:
• Research into creative ways for municipalities to pay for solar installations.
• A study of how solar projects can be integrated into new city buildings from the beginning of planning.
• Establishment of a “one-stop solar shop” that would provide comprehensive, unbiased information to people interested in installing solar equipment on their homes or other privately owned buildings.
Today’s announcement also included $3.3 million for Arizona Public Service Co. to study the impact of running large amounts of photovoltaic electricity through the electric grid.