| The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Million Solar | | | | The DOE doesn't take a direct role in local or state |
| Roofs Initiative is an ambitious project, but it's | | | | activities, and doesn't offer financial aid to install solar |
| important to America in terms of generating and | | | | energy devices or systems. However, the program |
| conserving energy. The Initiative proposes to install | | | | does bring the power and influence of the federal |
| solar energy systems in one million U.S. buildings by | | | | government together with businesses, organizations, |
| the year 2010. | | | | civic leaders, and government officials to help |
| The project was first announced on June 26, 1997, | | | | increase the demand and market share for the many |
| by President Bill Clinton in a speech delivered to a | | | | solar energy applications that are available. |
| United Nations session on Environment and | | | | One of the major goals of the Initiative is to reduce |
| Development. The initiative includes two distinctly | | | | greenhouse gas and other emissions. If the Initiative's |
| different types of solar devices, although both derive | | | | goal of one million solar energy units is met in 2010, |
| energy directly from the sun. | | | | estimates suggest that America's carbon emission will |
| The first devices are called photovoltaic arrays, which | | | | be reduced by the equivalent of 850,000 automobiles. |
| convert energy from the sun into electricity. That | | | | That's a huge decrease, and a target well worth |
| electricity can then be used to power the building, | | | | shooting for. |
| and excess power can be sold back to the utility | | | | Another goal is to create more high-tech jobs in |
| company. | | | | America. As a result of the Initiative, an estimated |
| The second solar devices are called thermal panels, | | | | 70,000 new jobs will be created due to the large |
| taking heat from the sun and transferring it to a hot | | | | increase in the for qualified technicians to help install |
| water and/or space heating system. Such devices | | | | and service an ever-growing number of photovoltaic |
| are often used to help heat swimming pools, which | | | | arrays and solar hot water systems. |
| can be a major energy drain. | | | | Increasing America's domestic market for |
| To accomplish its lofty goals, DOE has made an | | | | solar-powered systems will also help keep the |
| ongoing effort to work with the building industry; | | | | country more competitive in the world marketplace. |
| federal agencies; utility providers; solar energy | | | | In fact, some estimates have valued the photovoltaic |
| developers and installers; lending institutions; city and | | | | market alone at more than $1.5 billion worldwide. More |
| state governments; and many other organizations, | | | | information about the Million Roofs Initiative can be |
| both private and governmental to remove the | | | | found at |
| various barriers that have traditionally held back the | | | | Copyright © 2006 Jeanette J. |
| widespread use of solar energy. | | | | |