Projects and Programs
Australia's Solar Cities
The Australian Government's Solar Cities Program aims to alter the ways in which energy is perceived and used by the public. This education and outreach program is targeted at individuals, business, communities and local governments. This program enables cities to install solar photovoltaic systems and smart meters with time of use pricing, conducts energy efficiency audits, and provides financial incentives to bring down the upfront costs of solar systems. Australia's Solar Cities are Adelaide, Alice Springs, Blacktown, Central Victoria, Moreland, Perth and Townsville. Click here to read about this program.
Berkeley FIRST - Financing Initiative for Renewable and Solar Technology
The City of Berkeley, California is currently in the Pilot Phase of FIRST, which thus far only covers solar photovoltaic technology. To manage the applications and other administrative tasks of the program, Berkeley contracted Renewable Funding LLC. The funding, so far 40 installations and a maximum allowance of $37,500 USD, is supplied through bonds, bonds that are assessed through a property tax assessment and repaid through the property tax bill. The program allows program participants to also participate in other programs, such as rebates. Details of the legislative process the City undertook can be found at the bottom of this page.
Climate Smart Loan Program
Boulder County's Climate Smart Loan Program issues up to $40 Million USD in loans to finance renewabale energy and energy effciency improvements for commerical and residential property owners in Boulder County, Colorado, United States. This voluntary program was made possible by County voters through the establishment of a Clean Energy Options Local Improvement Jurisdiction in a 2008 general election. These loans come in the form of special assessment bonds, meaning that the bond will be repaid through a "special assessment" on the property being improved and incorporated into the property tax bills.
Energy Office Initiative
An ideal way for local governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save on energy costs, and implement their sustainable energy targets and plans, is to create a minimum of one full-time position housed within the local government that focuses on coordinating various local government targets, plans, and programs for sustainable energy. The Energy Office Initiative from ICLEI USA, shows local governments how to design and develop an energy office, and offers a series of trainings and custom support resources to guide local governments in establishing an energy office.
Energy Star for Local Government
This American website is maintained by the Environmental Protection Agency and includes a vast array of resources. Participating city and state governments accept the Energy Star Challenge, and have access to many tools for calculating and managing energy efficiency at the business, city and state level.
- Solar water heaters in Pune, India - ICLEI South Asia
The Indian Solar Cities Program
This governmental program has approved 32 cities in India to write road maps to becoming renewable energy or 'Solar' cities. The process involves collecting data, drafting a master plan including several case studies within the city, and including stakeholders in planning meetings. To read more about this program, click here.
ManagEnergy
ManagEnergy is an initiative of the European Commission Directorate-General for Energy and Transport, which aims to support the work of actors working on energy efficiency and renewable energies at the local and regional level. The main tools are training, workshops and online events. Additionally information is provided on case studies, good practice, European legislation and programmes.
Mayor's Tower Renewal Program
From Toronto, Canada, the Mayor's Tower Renewal Program attempts to improve the gross inefficiency of many of the Greater Toronto Area's concrete apartment blocks. The program encourages green retrofits, improvements to the broader community including transit access, among other features. The Mayor set up a Mayor's Tower Renewal office to assist in carrying out the plans for the program, and recently has put forward a Request for Proposals (RFP) for community energy plans for the program's pilot sites.
MetroCAP
The MetroCAP project is a collaboration of Japanese local governments that have come together to develop and implement local climate policies. Coordinated by ISEP, MetroCAP works to acheive three main goals: to promote policy transfer of climate change policies, establish common concepts among member communities, and ensure a flexible, effective decision making process. The website, the Green Local Government Portal is in Japanese, and English.
Minha Casa, Minha Vida
The Minha Casa, Minha Vida program in Brazil seeks to produce low-income housing, and ICLEI LACS is encouraging the builders to include solar heaters in the construction of the houses. Click here to read about their efforts on the ICLEI LACS website, or click the image to visit the official website of Minha Casa, Minha Vida.
SESAC—Sustainable Energy Systems in Advanced Cities
This project is a joint collaboration between the cities of Delft, The Netherlands; Grenoble, France; and Vaxjo, Sweden that aims to show the affordibility and economic opportunity in climate protection activities. These activities include implementing renewable energy and advanced energy efficiency solutions, in stand alone examples and district energy systems for neighbourhoods, in both new build and older housing stock.
Solar America Cities Partnership
The Solar America Cities program has been developed by the United States Department of Energy, as part of a national to local effort to introduce and expand the use of renewable energy sources to the cities of America. Visit this website for further information and for access to a diversity of documents that aid in developing local solar markets for sustainable cities.www.solaramericacities.energy.gov
