Solar power costs in the United States have decreased 80 percent since 2009 and federal incentives have spurred dramatic increases in solar deployment, according to a new report.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released on Wednesday the third edition of "Solar Power in Your Community," DOE’s guidebook to help local governments unlock environmental and economic benefits of increased solar deployment in their communities.

This latest edition contains nearly 40 case studies from around the country that show field-tested approaches to reduce solar market barriers, highlights new technologies and strategies to maximise the benefits of solar, such as combining solar with energy storage to improve resilience, and emphasises strategies for improving the equity of solar deployment at the local level.

These efforts support the deployment of more solar energy to reach the Biden-Harris Administration’s goals of achieving 100 percent clean electricity by 2035 and a net-zero economy by 2050.

"DOE’s solar guidebook is a must-have reference for local governments interested in using proven strategies to speed up going solar and cut energy bills for their residents," said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm.

 

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