Energy Department Declares $13 Million to Help Communities Go Solar

The Energy Department on February six announced $13 million in backing to help communities across the country reduce market and policy barriers to solar energy deployment. The Solar Powering America by Recognizing Communities (SPARC) backing opportunity will establish a national recognition and technical assistance plan for local governments. The submission deadline for concept papers is March 5.

Once the plan is established, communities that participate in SPARC will gain access to a network of nationally acknowledged leaders and gain expert assistance and national distinction while supporting local efforts to spur solar market growth and deploy solar energy faster and cheaper. The backing opportunity advances the work of the Energy Department's SunShot Initiative to support innovative, locally-driven solutions for cutting the "soft costs" of solar energy-often caused by delays in permitting, inspection, and interconnection-to build markets that support solar businesses, lower costs for consumers, and increase solar deployment. See the Energy Department news release, the backing announcement, and the SunShot website.

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