Solar America Communities

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Through the Solar America Communities program, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) works to remove solar market barriers and encourage the development of a sustainable solar infrastructure by residents and businesses in local communities. The Solar Foundation works with DOE and a number of other organizations to provide technical expertise to local governments that are interested in implementing solar programs and policies. These organizations include International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), North Carolina Solar Center (NCSC), Meister Consulting Group (MCG), Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA), International City-County Management Association (ICMA), American Planning Association (APA) and National Association of Regional Councils (NARC).

Together, we are the Solar America Communities Outreach (SACO) partnership and modeled after the highly successful DOE Solar America Cities program, and will share best practices and resources with local governments across the country.

TSF and our partners conduct outreach to local governments across the U.S. that are interested in joining the Solar America Communities program. We work to provide them with tools and empower those that wish to take informed action to build and expand their local solar markets. To best accelerate solar energy deployment, DOE encourages local governments to take a comprehensive, holistic approach rather than think project-by-project. To support this approach, SACO teams provide information in many relevant areas, including solar policies and regulations, financial incentives, workforce training best practices for engaging utilities and members of the community. SACO activities will include publishing information in national newsletters and creating local government membership organizations, facilitating peer-to-peer information sharing at regional workshops and organizing one-on-one workshops for local governments.DOE’s recently-updated publication Solar Powering Your Community: A Guide for Local Governments serves as the foundation for our efforts. 


Recent workshops:

  • National Brownfields Conference                          (April 3, 2011)
  • American Planning Association Conference          (April 7, 2011)
    • Presentation
  • ASES National Solar Conference                         (May 17, 2011)

Upcoming workshops:

  • National Association for Regional Councils           (June 15, 2011)
  • Solar Power International 2011                             (October 17-20, 2011)


For more information, visit the DOE Solar America Communities website.