This time, 12 cities selected as Solar America Cities will receive a portion of the $2.4 million that the Department of Energy (DOE) will invest to advance solar energy. Selected for their comprehensive approach to and deployment of solar technologies within their municipalities, Solar America Cities are as follows:

• Denver, Colorado
• Houston, Texas
• Knoxville, Tennessee
• Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Minneapolis - St. Paul, Minnesota
• Orlando, Florida
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Sacramento, California
• San Antonio, Texas
• San Jose, California
• Santa Rosa, California
• Seattle, Washington

Each will receive up to $200,000 from the DOE, but the total solar investment in the 12 cities is projected to reach over $12 million, given industry cost share and city funding. The DOE will also provide solar technical assistance, outreach and curriculum development, and additional incentives to help the cities further integrate solar technology. The goal is to come closer to making solar photovoltaic electricity cost competitive by 2015, as projected by the Solar America Initiative.

DOE made the announcement on Friday, March 28.