The solar industry’s apparently doing really well in the US right now, but the White House wants to broaden its reach even further. That’s why the administration has launched a new initiative designed to give more people access to solar energy and to create more jobs in the industry. To start with, the government wants to install 300 megawatts of solar and other types of renewable energy in places with federally subsidized housing. Some organizations in over 20 states also promise to conjure up 260 solar projects in an effort to help low-income families.
To make the process easier and to reach both goals, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will offer technical assistance (and a primer of sorts) to communities, while the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will make it easier to borrow money. The government has partnered with companies and organizations to create more job opportunities, as well. AmeriCorps, for instance, plans to train around 40 members who’ll eventually be deployed help retrofit houses with solar panels, whereas HUD, DOE and the Department of Education will boost educational opportunities that will help the renewable energy sector. The White House has laid out all the details on its website, so get ready for a long read if you want to know what the administration’s planning exactly.
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Source: White House