DOE Offers $13M to Run Solar Program for Communities

The Energy Department today announced $13 million for the Solar Powering America by Recognizing Communities (SPARC) funding opportunity, which will establish a national recognition and technical assistance program for local governments.

SPARC has two Topic Areas:

1. The Designation Program Administrator (Topic A), which will establish, name and maintain the program; and
2. The Technical Assistance Provider (Topic B), which will provide technical assistance to help communities achieve ambitious goals that eliminate market barriers and reduce solar soft costs.

Once the program is established, communities that participate in SPARC will gain access to a network of nationally recognized leaders and receive expert assistance to deploy solar energy faster and cheaper.

This funding opportunity builds on the work of DOE'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.