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Solar Panels Could Be Part Of A Greener Pittsburgh

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Jan 26, 2009 5:38 pm US/Eastern

Solar Panels Could Be Part Of A Greener Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― The City of Pittsburgh continues its prowess as one of the greenest cities in the country.
 
In fact, the federal government was in town today to help the city push for a greener, more energy efficient future.
 
Tom Kimbis from the U.S. Department of Energy was a headline speaker at Solar America cities workshop.

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl also announced the city is ready to begin a solar power source.

One or two fire houses will have a solar hot water unit installed.

"It's not just city facilities. You have reps from universities, business community, non-profits, the community at large. I think that's important to note, because, in order for us to be successful, we are going to need that kind of cooperation", Mayor Ravenstahl said.

All those entities the mayor mentioned are here to learn more about the solar installations.

The city received $200,000 in federal grants in 2007.

It created a clean energy task force.

Along with technical assistance from the DOE and Sandia National Laboratories, the task force has studied how to best utilize solar power.

Howard Purcell from Sandia believes it will set future projects into motion.

"By doing that, we'll create a blueprint for further installation to take place in Pittsburgh," said Purcell.

Ten percent of the city's electricity already comes from wind power.

And if the city can prove it's a leader in green energy, solar panels could start popping up all over town, most of it funded by the federal government.

The mayor wants everyone, at some point, to have the option to tap into solar, wind, or hydro alternatives.

The trend should begin in later summer with that solar hot water unit at a local firehouse.

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