U.S. Conference of Mayors shows strong support for solar power

At a recent municipal conference last week, a survey revealed that solar power is supported by American mayors, overwhelmingly.   The U.S. Conference of Mayors included leaders from all cities of more than 30,000 people, and took place in Baltimore, Maryland.

Among the issues facing municipal leadership are the development of clean energy technology, deployment of solar power and the creation of green jobs.  To get to the heart of the matter, a Siemens survey was revealed to illustrate the fact that renewable energy resources for clean power is a high priority for American mayors across the country.  This moves solar power, and other technologies, to the forefront.

According to Deborah Dehaney-Howard, spokeswoman for the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the survey did not focus exclusively on solar power.  However, the results did show that many city leaders believe solar electricity production, along with energy-efficient building technologies and LED lighting systems, is among the top three most promising clean energy technologies.  However, even though the mayors admitted that the Recession has impacted city budgets, they still plan on increasing use of green energy over the next 5 years.

Overall, one quarter of the cities represented at the conference have already established renewable energy production standards.  In fact, notwithstanding the absence of a national policy on green energy, many cities have incorporated policies to encourage clean energy like solar power within their master plans.

Cities encouraging solar power growth

Even with solar power supported by American Mayors, there are still some geographical differences across the country.  Generally speaking, you’ll find more solar electricity being developed in the West and Northeast.  Yet, overall, 46% of the cities surveyed responded in the survey that they see solar power as one of the most promising clean energy technologies.

Best Solar Areas: Solar America Cities

If you are wondering how to identify the best solar areas in the United States, then look no further than the 25 metropolitan areas with which the Department of Energy is working through its Solar America Cities partnership (shown on the map to the right).

These cities are working to “accelerate the adoption of solar energy technologies,” by engaging with more than 180 organizations (including solar companies, universities, local and state agencies, utilities and non-profits) to use solar energy for municipal power.

The following video offers a great synopsis of the program:

Solar America Cities are cutting edge

They are truly cutting edge solar cities.  The map shows that, even though there is a range in solar resource potential (darkest shaded areas have the most, lightest have the least), these 25 cities across the United States are taking steps that will serve as a solar energy market model for other cities across the country.  Specifically:

“[The] Cities . . . are taking action to make solar energy a more viable option for their communities. These Solar America Cities are using innovative approaches to remove market barriers to solar and to encourage adoption of solar energy technologies at the local level.”

One of the primary goals of the program is to make photovoltaic (PV) power cost-competitive with coal-based electricity by 2015.  Through the R&D supported by the Solar America Cities program, many believe that we’ll get there, if not sooner.

Going solar is not reserved only to the people that live in one of the Solar America Cities, however.  A variety of programs are available across the nation, including rebates and tax credits, and/or net metering to help you go solar.  In addition, the DOE website explains:

Specific federal and state tax laws permit private companies and homeowners to credit the purchase price of their solar power systems against their annual income tax payment.