permaculture

[Keith Johnson <keithdj@mindspring.com>]

February 14, 2007
U.S. DOE Headquarters to Get $30 M Solar PV System
House of Representatives passes new legislation enabling the
installation of a solar energy system on Federal building.
by Sara Parker, Staff Writer
Washington, DC [RenewableEnergyAccess.com <http://ess.com>]
In many scenarios by leading renewable energy experts and advocates,
placing solar systems on all Federal buildings has long been on the
list of breakthrough strategies to boost the U.S. solar power
industry through government procurement. That scenario is now one
step closer to becoming a reality with the Solar Net project.

"Turning the DOE into a solar power generating station sends a
powerful message that solar will be an important part of the
nation's energy portfolio going forward."

-- Noah Kaye, Solar Energy Industries Association, Director of
Public Affairs

On Monday, the House of Representatives passed new legislation for
the installation of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system on the U.S.
Department of Energy (DOE) building -- with hopes that the project
will serve as a model for other government buildings.

"This system is an important milestone for the U.S. DOE. It's
important that they not only showcase technology, but that they
demonstrate market leadership. There is an enormous solar
opportunity on government buildings at local, state and federal
levels, and this highly visible project should further spur other
agencies to pursue the solar option," said Mark Farber, vice
president of Strategic Planning at Evergreen Solar, a Massachusetts-
based company that develops and manufactures PV modules and solar
cells.

While one building does not a movement make, with the decision
emanating from the government itself people are taking notice --
especially considering the attached price tag. The new bill, H.R.
798, directs the General Service Administration to spend $30 million
for a 300 foot long, 130 foot high solar array on the south wall of
the DOE headquarters (also known as the James Forrestal Building)
located on Independence Avenue in Washington, D.C.

"Turning the DOE into a solar power generating station sends a
powerful message that solar will be an important part of the
nation's energy portfolio going forward," said Noah Kaye, the
Director of Public Affairs for the Solar Energy Industries
Association (SEIA).

For 72-year old Congressman Jim Oberstar (D-MN) the passage of H.R.
798 and the undertaking of the Solar Net project has been a long-
time coming. In 1977, Oberstar testified before the Public Works
Committee, which was later renamed the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure, in support of renewable sources and fitting
federal buildings with solar energy systems.

"What better symbol than the Department of Energy itself, to operate
on renewable energy? Let's showcase this project. Let's show
definitively this works," said Oberstar, who is now chairman of the
House Transportation Committee.

"The federal government should play a central role in encouraging
innovation in developing new sources of energy. The Solar Net
project is a reasonable, practical and simple alternative to
traditional electricity sources," added Oberstar. "It is only
fitting that the Energy Department be at the cutting edge of
utilizing and supporting applied research in alternative energy
sources."

http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=47438

--
Keith Johnson
"Be fruitful and mulch apply."
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