Were counties or small cities (with populations less than 100,000 people) eligible for Solar America City awards?
Counties and small cities were eligible to apply to the Solar America City partnership program, if they partnered with a nearby larger city that served as the main applicant. Counties and smaller cities are also eligible for project-specific technical assistance through DOE’s Solar America Showcases activity, which is open to all. activity, which is open to all. All cities are important for reducing market barriers to solar energy and growing a robust domestic solar industry. Cities can serve a critical role in encouraging citizens and businesses to adopt solar technology. DOE encourages all cities—regardless of size or award status—to undertake activities to transform solar markets. These activities include but are by no means limited to establishing solar access rights for citizens and businesses; helping lower solar installation costs by limiting permitting fees and streamlining the permit process; and working with states and utilities to establish appropriate interconnection and ne
